Location detection system for a patient handling device

[0001] The present invention relates generally to location detection systems for use in facilities, such as, for example, healthcare facilities, for tracking apparatus, such as, for example, patient handling devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a position detection system comprising locators programmed with unique location identifiers for determining the position of a patient handling device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Location detection systems are well known in the art for tracking the position of personnel and equipment on site. Systems of this type have in particular been adapted for use in facilities such as healthcare facilities to track healthcare professionals, for example nurses and doctors, as well as to track equipment such as beds, patient monitoring devices and others.

A typical location detection system is also referred to as an asset tracking system that uses markers that periodically transmit a unique identification signal. The receivers are located on the premises of the plant in known locations to receive these identification signals. The receivers are connected via cabling to a central computer that processes unique identification signals to determine the location of the associated resource with the tag.

[0003] One of the disadvantages of such systems is that a typical resource tracking system does not use existing infrastructure within a healthcare facility. As a result, the capital costs necessary to set up an asset tracking infrastructure are high. For example, receivers used to receive identification signals from tags attached to tracked resources must be installed on the premises of the healthcare facility as well as connected via wiring to a central computer. This requires a considerable amount of work as well as long breaks to install the cabling.

[0004] In modern healthcare facilities, networks are available to access patient data, equipment data, laboratory test results, and more. However, with modern asset tracking systems, integrating information about the location of mobile equipment, such as patient handling devices with patient data or other data available on the network, is not practical. One reason for not being able to fully integrate asset tracking systems with modern healthcare facilities is that these asset tracking systems are designed only to identify the specific room in which the patient handling device is located. These systems are not designed to define a specific zone in the room where the patient handling device is located. Some healthcare facilities may have two, three or more patient handling devices in each room. Therefore, when modern asset tracking systems are used, a room can be designated where each patient handling device is located, for example patient handling devices are in room 1, but they are not sensitive enough to tell that the patient handling device number 1 is in zone 1 of room 1, the patient handling device number 2 is in zone 2 of room 1 and so on. For modern asset tracking systems to provide location information at such a level of detail, each zone needs separate receivers, each of which would be connected to a central computer. As a result, infrastructure costs also increase.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a location detection system that can be easily implemented in existing healthcare facilities with small capital investments and additional infrastructure, also providing specific location details that will allow full integration with other patient data and other equipment available in existing networks within the healthcare facility.

US-A-2004/0106854 discloses a transmitter / receiver worn by patients for receiving position signals from randomly located locators.

This transmitter / receiver transmits the position signals provided by the locators along with the patient ID identification signals to a remote processing station to determine the position of the patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ITS ADVANTAGES [0006] The present invention offers a position detection system according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 19.

[0007] This system and method have several advantages over the prior art.

For example, by placing the receiver on a patient handling device, the patient handling device functions as a communication link between the locator and the processing station. In addition, by transmitting the unique location identifier from the locators to the receiver and then to the processing station, there is no need for additional infrastructure on the site to support the locators. Positions can be determined simply by placing the locator, programmed using a unique location identifier, at the location under consideration, as well as transmitting this location to the patient handling device, which then sends the unique location identifier to the processing station. The patient handling device also sends its own unique ID, thereby correlating the position of the patient handling device with its unique ID. This will allow better tracking of patients by healthcare facilities by linking patients to their patient handling devices and also linking patient handling devices to their locations within the healthcare facility, up to a specific zone in the room where patients are and devices are located to service patients.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the position detection system comprises a first location device associated with the patient handling device for transmitting the first unique location identifier to the processing station, and a second location device associated with the patient handling device for transmitting a second unique position identifier for the processing station. In this system, the first unique location identifier corresponds to the first location area, and the second unique location identifier corresponds to the second location area different from the first area. In one embodiment, the first unique location identifier identifies the room in which the patient handling device is located, and the second unique location identifier identifies the zone in that room in which the patient handling device is located. Therefore, the first locating device provides information about the general surroundings of the patient handling device, and the second locating device determines the location of the patient handling device in that general environment.

[0009] In another aspect, existing asset tracking systems may be used to determine information about the general environment of patient handling devices, such as the room in which they are located, and patient handling devices may be further retrofitted with an additional location device for obtaining more accurate position information up to a specific zone in the room where the patient handling device is located.

[0010] In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of determining the position of patient handling devices using a first locating device and a second locating device. This method includes transporting the patient handling device to a specific location on site and transmitting the first unique location identifier to the processing station. The method also includes determining a first location area of ​​the patient handling device based on the first unique location identifier and transmitting the second unique location identifier to the processing station, the first unique location identifier corresponding to the first position area and the second unique location identifier corresponding to the second position area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] Other advantages of the present invention can be readily appreciated and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a healthcare establishment with a network; [0013] Figure 2 is a top view of a typical floor plan of a healthcare facility with two zones designated A and B, schematically illustrating the location detection system of the present invention using a locator configured to transmit a unique location identifier to a receiver located on the patient handling device;

[0014] Figure 3 is an electrical diagram of the locator of Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 4 is an electrical diagram of the receiver of Figure 2;

[0016] Figure 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating the process of transmitting a unique location identifier from the locator to the receiver;

[0017] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating the process of requesting a unique location identifier from a locator;

[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating alternative position detection systems of the present invention using radio, magnetic induction, ultrasonic or light modulated systems;

[0019] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using a marker system

RFID;

[0020] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using a magnetic card

RFID;

[0021] Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using a fixed RFID magnetic card;

[0022] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using a nurse calling cable with an integrated RFID tag;

[0023] Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative location detection system of the present invention using WiFi access points; [0024] Figure 13 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using a power cable with an integrated ID transmitter;

[0025] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative location detection system of the present invention using an Ethernet port to transmit a unique location identifier;

[0026] Figure 15 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative location detection system of the present invention using a mesh network to determine the position of a patient handling device;

[0027] Figure 16 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using an asset tag in combination with a switch;

[0028] Figure 17 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using an asset tag in combination with an audio distance meter;

[0029] Figure 18 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using an asset tag in combination with a laser distance meter; and [0030] Figure 19 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using an asset tag in combination with a Hall effect sensor system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0031] Referring to the figures in which similar numbers mean similar or corresponding elements in several views, the position detection system intended for the object has been generally designated the number 20. The position detection system 20 has been described as integrated with the operating device patient 22 of a healthcare facility, for example a hospital. Patient handling devices 22 include devices such as beds, lifts, cots, wheelchairs and others. It should be noted that the present invention can also be applied to other devices located in the healthcare facility, including, but not limited to, infusion pumps, patient monitoring devices, therapeutic devices such as, for example, free-standing therapeutic mattresses and other. It should also be noted that it can also be used in non-medical facilities. For the purposes of this description, reference is generally made to healthcare facilities.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 1, a healthcare facility includes several systems that can communicate electronically with each other via a common network 32. These systems include patient admission / discharge / transfer systems (ADT) 24 and patient flow systems 26 , such as the systems offered by Premise Development Corporation. These systems may also include eICU 28 systems, such as systems offered by Cerner Corporation for remote monitoring of critically ill patients. The nursing care call system 30 can also be communicatively connected to a network 32. For example, the nursing care call system offered by Rauland-Borg Corporation can be used to immediately forward nursing care calls from a patient to a network 32 or to a primary and / or additional patient carer via a cordless telephone 33 using well-known messaging interfaces. This gives the patient immediate contact with healthcare staff for faster, more effective care.

[0033] Several communication devices may also be used to access data or information provided by these systems 24, 26, 28, 30 for receiving messages or alarms from these systems 24, 26, 28, 30 or for transmitting information to these systems 24, 26, 28, 30. For example, a wireless badge 46 can be connected to systems 24, 26, 28, 30 via wireless access points 36 located within a healthcare facility. Health care workers, for example, nurses or nursing assistants, medical assistants, nursing practitioners, physician assistants, doctors and others may wear wireless badges 46 to alert the nurse when a patient calls for help or when an alarm condition occurs. The nurse may also use a wireless badge 46 to speak to voice recognition systems to report alarm status or to report that the nurse has completed her task, reporting any event that may occur at the healthcare facility. Personal digital devices (PDAs) 38 can also be connected to networks 24, 26, 28, 30 in order to transfer data and information between PDAs 38 and network 32. Similarly, laptops 40 can be used to transfer data and information. .

[0034] Asset tracking systems 42 may also be integrated into the network 32. Such systems 42 may include systems offered by Radianse, Inc., Versus Technology, Inc. or other manufacturers to track resources within the healthcare facility. In some embodiments, the location detection system 20 is designed to operate independently of the asset tracking system 42 to identify a particular location, e.g., a room and a zone of patient handling devices 22. In other embodiments, the location detection system 20 of the present invention is designed to work in conjunction with an asset tracking system 42 to identify the location of patient handling devices 22 within a healthcare facility.

[0035] Still referring to Fig. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention the patient handling device 22 is adapted to communicate with the network 32. In particular, the central unit 44 (CPU) of the patient handling device 22 is in electronic communication with network 32 via the communication module 48. The CPU 44 performs the functions of the patient handling device 22, such as motor functions for raising or lowering the movable sections of the patient handling device 22 in response to user input, measuring functions for measuring side rail positions, bed height, patient position or getting out of bed, patient weight, brake positions and more, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, or the therapeutic functions of a therapeutic mattress, such as rotation, tapping or vibrations.

The CPU 44 contains the necessary processors and memory for performing these functions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0036] The CPU 44 and the communication module 48 are physically located on the patient handling device 22 so that they move with the patient handling device 22 from place to place. Preferably, the one or more enclosures comprise a CPU 44 and a communication module 48 with the enclosure or enclosures mounted on the frame of the patient handling device 22. As a result, all hardware components necessary to connect the CPU 44 of the patient handling device 22 to the communication module 48 are on and are carried by the patient handling device 22. It should be noted that the CPU 44 and the communication module 48 may be integrated in a single housing or may be separately connected elements connected together in a wired or wireless configuration. By placing the communication module 48 on the patient handling device 22, the patient handling device 22 functions as a center or link for transferring data and / or information to the network 32 regarding the patient handling device 22, including its location.

[0037] The communication module 48 can be connected to the network 32 via a wired and / or wireless connection to transfer data and / or information back and forth between CPU 44 and the hospital network 32.

In the wired configuration, the communication module 48 can be a transmitter / receiver wired connected via communication link 49 to the hospital network 32. The communication link can be an RS-232 cable and an Ethernet compliant cable, or any other wired connection known to those skilled in the art. In a wireless configuration, the communication module 48 may be a wireless transmitter / receiver or router that is configured with a compatible transmitter / receiver or router 51 located in the hospital network 32. In some embodiments, both the wired configuration and the configuration are present in the patient handling device 22 wireless to easily adapt to user preferences. It should be noted that some patient handling devices 22 lack a CPU 44, but instead there are numerous electronic modules that communicate on a peer-to-peer basis. However, for the purposes of this description reference is made to a master / slave system using the CPU 44 of the device 22 for patient service.

[0038] The processing station 50 is communicated with the network 32 to process data and / or information received from the various systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or patient handling device 22 via the communication module 48 to configure or control the various systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or patient handling devices 22. In one embodiment, the treatment station 50 is located in a central nursing station within the healthcare facility and is implemented in a workstation, e.g. a personal computer, for use in the central nursing station. The workstation may include software configured to manipulate data and / or information received from various systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or from a patient handling device 22. For example, the workstation may be configured to receive data and / or information from the patient device communication module 48 or to transfer data and / or information back to the patient handling device 22. This type of data can come from a bed lowering detection system, bed height detection system, weight, side rail sensor system that detects the position of the side rails, therapeutic mattress and the like. The processing station 50 preferably includes a graphical user interface on a touch screen for viewing and performing operations on data and / or information. It should be noted that the processing station 50 may also be a free standing unit that is not located in the network 32, but contains the necessary equipment for connecting to the communication module 48 of the patient handling device 22.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a typical floor plan of a healthcare facility. As shown, the room designated as Room 1 has two zones, designated Zone A and Zone B. Zones A and B are often referred to as bed compartments or bed areas. The position detection system 20 of the present invention is configured to define the particular zone in which the patient handling device 22 is located. The embodiment of Figure 2 illustrates two devices 22 for handling patients at a location, for example, Zone A and Zone B within a healthcare facility. The position detection system 20 will only be described with respect to one of the patient handling devices 22. Of course, it should be noted that the location detection system 20 is used to determine the specific locations of several devices 22 for handling patients simultaneously within a healthcare facility. Multiple patient handling devices 22 may also be in the same zone A, B.

[0040] With reference to the patient handling device 22 shown in Zone A of the room plan of Fig. 2, a locator 52 is attached to the patient handling device 22. The locator 52 is attached to the wall, floor or ceiling of the room. The locator 52 can also be hung from anywhere in the room, for example, by means of a binding or other limiting mechanism or devices adapted to hold the locator 52 in a fixed position relative to the patient handling device 22. In other words, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the locator 52 is not designed as a mobile device designed to transport it out of the room. The locator 52 is programmed with a unique location identifier that corresponds to the location of the patient handling device 22. The unique location identifier can simply be the serial number of the locator 52, which is entered into the search table stored in the available memory of the machining station 50 and associated with the zone in which the locator 52 is installed.

[0041] The processing station 50, which is located remotely with respect to the patient handling device 22 and the locator 52, receives a unique location identifier such that the position of the patient handling device 22 can be determined and monitored away from the patient handling device 22. In particular, the receiver 54 is carried by the patient handling device 22 and receives a unique position identifier corresponding to the position, and the communication module 48, which is electronically connected to the receiver 54, transmits the unique location identifier of the locator 52 from the patient handling device 22 to the treatment station 50. As a result, the patient handling device 22 functions as a communication link between the locator 52 and the processing station 50. At approximately the same time, the communication module 48 transmits or communicates the unique ID of the patient handling device 22 to the treatment station 50, such that the processing station 50 can correlate the location of the patient handling device 22 with the unique ID of the patient handling device 22.

[0042] The processing station 50 uses a separate lookup table to correlate the unique ID to the patient with which the specific patient handling device 22 is associated. The processing station 50 then correlates the unique ID and patient ID with the specific zone in which the particular patient handling device 22 is now located, so that the software application installed on the processing station 50 can precisely manage the data corresponding to the specific patient and patient handling device 22.

[0043] In one embodiment, the locator 52 includes at least one infrared transmitter 56 for transmitting the unique position identifier to the receiver 54, and the receiver 54 includes a housing housing at least one infrared sensor 58 for receiving the unique position identifier from the infrared transmitter 56. In this case, the transmission of the unique location identifier from the locator 52 to the patient handling device 22 is further defined as transmitting an infrared position signal from the at least one infrared transmitter 56 of the locator 52 to at least one infrared sensor 58 of the receiver 54. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other data besides the unique location identifier may also be transmitted from the infrared transmitter 56, e.g., battery 60 data in locator 52, time / date and others.

[0044] Receiver 54 is configured to include at least one infrared transmitter 56 for transmitting the request signal to the locator 52. Similarly, the locator 52 is configured to include at least one infrared sensor 58 for receiving the request signal from the receiver 54. A 60, rechargeable or other battery is used to power the locator 52. To maintain battery life, the locator 52 will normally be in sleep mode until the request signal is received by at least one infrared sensor 58 of the locator 52.

[0045] Referring to the wiring diagram of Fig. 3, one embodiment of the locator 52 is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the locator 52 includes a plurality of infrared transmitters 56 for transmitting a unique location identifier to a receiver 54. Similarly, the locator 52 includes a plurality of infrared sensors 58 arranged in a system of 62 sensors for receiving a request signal from receiver 54. The locator 52 also includes a microprocessor 64 electrically connected to a system of 62 sensors and transmitters 56. The microprocessor 64 is programmed with a unique position identifier that corresponds to the position of the patient handling device 22 and controls the operation of infrared transmitters 56 to produce a signal with a unique position identifier and to transmit this signal to receiver 54 of the patient handling device 22. The infrared transmitters 56 of the locator 52 are adapted to transmit with variable power to minimize crosstalk and maximize signal consistency. The locator 52 is also adapted to modulate the light intensity of the infrared emitters 56 to maximize noise immunity. In addition, a filter may be present (not shown) to filter the infrared signal to reduce receiver saturation and maximize signal consistency and noise immunity.

[0046] Referring to the wiring diagram of Fig. 4, one of the embodiments of the receiver 54 of the patient handling device 22 is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the receiver 54 includes a plurality of infrared sensors 58 arranged in a sensor array 62 for receiving a unique position identifier from the infrared transmitters 56, thereby improving the transmission of the unique position identifier. Similarly, the receiver 54 includes a plurality of infrared transmitters 56 for transmitting the request signal from the receiver 54 to the locator 52, thereby improving the transmission of the request signal. The receiver 54 can also be battery powered, but is preferably powered by an AC source used to power the control system and CPU 44 of the patient handling device 22. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the locator 52 and the receiver 54 can be implemented with a single infrared transmitter 56 and an infrared sensor 58.

[0047] Referring to Fig. 5, a process flow diagram illustrates a method of detecting the position of a patient handling device 22. Initially, the locator 52 is in sleep mode and is waiting for a request signal from the receiver 54. In other words, the microprocessor 64 checks the receiving channel to see if the patient handling device 22 has requested location information, e.g. a unique location identifier. If the patient handling device 22 has not requested a unique location identifier, then the locator 52 will remain in sleep mode. If the patient handling device 22 sends a request signal and the desired signal is correctly received and understood by the locator 52, then the location signal carries location information, i.e. the unique location identifier on the transmission channel. After sending the unique location identifier, locator 52 returns to sleep mode to save battery.

[0048] Referring to Fig. 6, there is illustrated a flowchart of a method for sending a request signal to the locator 52 from a receiver 54. The receiver 54, which is preferably powered by an AC source, regularly transmits the request signal to continuously update the position of the device 22 to operate the patient. The time of these transmissions may vary depending on whether or not the receiver 54 has received location information. As a result, there may be a number of assumed delays between request signals, e.g., delay # 1 and delay # 2, which differ in the time interval between transmissions of the request signal to the locator 52 on the transmission channel of the receiver 54. After receiving the location information, this information is processed and a unique location identifier is sent to the CPU 44 and finally to the processing station 50 to determine the position of the patient handling device 22.

[0049] Referring to Fig. 7, there are shown alternative position detection systems with similar properties to the embodiment described previously. In Fig. 7 the locator 52 may be one of the following devices: a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 76 for transmitting a unique location identifier over radio frequencies; an ultrasonic transmitter 80 for transmitting a unique location identifier using ultrasonic signals; an inductively coupled transmitter 84 for transmitting a unique position identifier using magnetic coupling; or a light modulated transmitter 88 for transmitting a unique position identifier using modulated light. It should be noted that in each of these embodiments, the receiver 54 is particularly adapted to receive the specific types of signals mentioned, i.e. the receiver 54 may be an RFID reader 78 or may include an ultrasonic sensor 82, a sensor 86 with magnetic coupling, or a light modulation sensor 90.

[0050] Referring to Figs. 8-11, other alternative systems using RFID technology are shown there. It should be noted that any of the systems using RFID technology may be an active, semi-active or passive system, as is well known to those skilled in the art. In general, when a passive system is used, each of the markers described 76 includes a transponder (not shown) with a digital memory integrated circuit (not shown) that includes or is programmed with a unique location identifier. The interrogation device (not shown), which is an antenna wrapped with the transmitter, receiver and decoder in the RFID reader 78, emits a signal activating the 76 RFID tags, so that the interrogator can read and write data to the 76 RFID tags. When the patient handling device 22 is moved to a particular zone in the room, the RFID markers 76 detect the activation signal of the RFID reader. The RFID reader 78 then decodes data, e.g., a unique location identifier, encoded in the digital memory chip and this data is passed to the processing station 50 as previously described.

[0051] In the embodiment of Figure 8, locator 52 includes an RFID tag mat 92 that includes an RFID tag array 76. At least one of the tags 76 transmits a unique location identifier, or the selected set of RFID tags 76 transmits a signal that is recognized as the unique location identifier. In this embodiment, the receiver 54 is an RFID reader 78 for receiving signals from the 76 RFID tags. In use, a person from medical staff or another healthcare facility employee will first move the patient handling device 22 to either above the RFID tag mat 92 or in close proximity to the RFID tag 92. The RFID tags 76 or at least a portion thereof will then transmit the unique location identifier to the RFID reader 78, which will then transmit the unique location identifier to the CPU 44 and then to the processing station 50 located in the network 32 via the communication module 48, in accordance with as previously described.

[0052] In the embodiment of Figure 9, the locator 52 includes an RFID magnetic card 94 containing at least one active or passive RFID tag 76. The magnetic RFID card 94 is attached to the front wall 124 of the room using a chain 68. It immobilizes the magnetic RFID card 94 in the room relative to the patient handling device 22. Receiver 54 is an RFID reader 78 that receives a unique position identifier from an RFID tag 76 embedded in the RFID magnetic card 94. In this embodiment, the medical personnel will first introduce the patient handling device 22 to its place in a specific zone in the room and then move the 94 RFID card over the RFID reader 78 to transfer the unique location identifier from the RFID tag 76 to the RFID reader 78 and to the station 50 treatments.

[0053] In the embodiment of figure 10, the locator 52 includes a magnetic RFID tag 70. The RFID magnetic tag 70 is attached to the front wall 124, as in Fig. 9, using a chain 68. However, in this embodiment, a medical personnel or other healthcare facility employee not only moves the magnetic RFID tag 70 to transmit a unique location identifier for RFID reader 78. The RFID reader 78 in this case additionally attracts the magnetic RFID magnetic tag 70 to lock in a releasable magnetic RFID tag 70 to the RFID reader 78 to guarantee full transmission of the unique position identifier to the processing station 50 as described above.

[0054] In the embodiment of Fig. 11, locator 52 includes an RFID tag 76, and receiver 54 includes an RFID reader 78 as in Figs. 8-10. However, this embodiment further includes a cable 72 that will be stored in each zone A , B. Cable 72 connects the nursing calling interface of the patient service device 22 to the standard nurse calling port 74 located in each zone A, B. The RFID reader 78 is integrated with the nursing call interface on the patient handling device 22, and the RFID tag 76 is integrated at the end of the cable 72, so that when the cable 72 connects the nursing call interface on the patient service device with interface port 74 nursing calls mounted on front wall 124, the RFID tag 76 will transmit location information, for example, a unique location identifier, for the RFID reader 78 and further to the processing station 50 located in the network 32. [0055] Referring to Figs. 12-15, additional alternative systems are shown. In the embodiment of Fig. 12, locator 52 includes a plurality of WiFi access points 96 located in the room and programmed with unique location identifiers for the zones in the room in which they are located. This system is able to triangulate the room and the zone in terms of the position of the patient handling device 22 using 96 WiFi access points. The receiver 54 further includes a WiFi transmitter / receiver 95 mounted in the patient handling device 22. The WiFi transmitter / receiver is connected to 96 WiFi access points in order to receive reference signals transmitted by 96 WiFi access points. In some embodiments, the strength of the signal received in combination with the unique location identifiers programmed at WiFi access points 96 will be used to triangulate the room and the zonal position of the patient handling device 22. The WiFi transmitter / receiver 95 sends location information to the processing station 50 located in the network 32. [0056] In the embodiment of Fig. 13 locator 52 includes an ID transmitter 98 integrated in the 110 V AC plug 100 that transmits a reference signal to a receiver 54 located on the patient handling device 22. In this embodiment, the receiver 54 is integrated in the power cable interface 101 to communicate with the ID transmitter 98 via the power cord 103. The receiver 54 will then communicate location information, e.g. a unique location identifier, to a processing station 50 located in the network 32.

[0057] In the embodiment of Fig. 14, locator 52 includes an Ethernet port 102, and receiver 54 includes an Ethernet transmitter / receiver 104 mounted in a patient handling device 22. The Ethernet-compliant cable 106 connects the Ethernet transmitter / receiver 104 and Ethernet port 102 to send location information to the patient handling device 22. The Ethernet transmitter / receiver 104 then sends the location information to the processing station 50.

[0058] In the embodiment of Fig. 15, the system uses a mesh network 108 with network transmitters / receivers 110 to determine location information. The mesh network 108 may be wired or wireless, preferably wireless, to reduce infrastructure costs. Wireless mesh network 108 allows transmitters / receivers 110 of mesh network data to be transmitted to each other via data to network 32 and processing station 50. In other words, in a wireless mesh network 108, access points and wireless devices can organize themselves into an ad hoc network, communicating with each other to determine the fastest way to send data to network 32. In a wireless mesh network 108, data jumps from a transmitter / receiver 110 of a mesh network to transmitter / receiver 110 mesh network looking for the shortest available path to network 32 and processing station 50. Here, each of the patient handling devices 22 is equipped with a mesh network transmitter / receiver 110, which acts as a mesh network node 108. Location information is obtained by knowing the relationship of the mesh network transceivers 110 on the patient handling devices 22 relative to other transceivers 110 mesh network and / or base transceiver (not shown). For example, adjacent patient handling devices 22 in a second room zone, e.g., Zone B, Room 1, can determine location information using a transceiver network 110 on a patient handling device 22, in Zone A, Room 1.

[0059] Referring to Figs. 16-19, there are shown different position detection systems for determining the location of a patient handling device 22 by separately determining first a first area and a second location area. In one embodiment, the first area is a room, e.g., Room 1, in which the patient handling device 22 is located, and the second area, sub-area, is a zone inside the room in which the patient handling device 22, e.g., zone A is located. , B. One of the position detection systems described previously may be used to determine the first area in which the patient handling device 22 is located. In this case, the previously described systems will be able to provide the location of only the first area or room, and not the specific zone. In other words, the previously described systems will be the first locating device, e.g., locator 52, meshing transmitter / receiver 54, and others associated with the patient handling device 22 and communicating with the processing station 50 to transmit the first unique location identifier to the station 50 processing. The first unique location identifier is associated with the first area in which the patient handling device 22 is located, but not with the subarea or the specific zone in which the patient handling device 22 is located.

[0060] The resource tracking system 42 of the healthcare facility may also be the first locating device used for this purpose. In this case, each of the patient handling devices 22 will be provided with an asset tag 114 for tracking patient handling devices 22 within the healthcare facility, and the resource tracking system 42 is adapted to provide room locations for patient handling devices 22 and to transmit these location of the rooms to the resource marker receiver 116 in the network 32 and further to the processing station 50. For the purposes of the description, reference is made to the first tracking device, which is an asset tracking system 42.

[0061] Other position detection systems of Figs. 16-19 provide a second locating device 109 associated with the patient handling device 22 and electronically communicating with the treatment station 50 to transmit the second unique location identifier to the treatment station 50. The second unique location identifier corresponds to the sub-area or zone in which the patient handling device 22 is located. Accordingly, the first unique location identifier provides information about the general environment in which the patient handling device 22 is located, while the second unique location identifier further specifies the location description of the patient handling device 22. Referring first to Fig. 16, the second location device may be an electronic switch 118 that can be manually operated to correspond to the corresponding zone A, B. Switch 118 will communicate with network 32 and processing station 50 to identify the selected zone A, B.

[0062] Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, the second locating device 109 is an audible distance sensor 120 or a laser distance meter 122, used to determine the zone A, B in which the patient handling device 22 is located. In these embodiments, the sonic distance sensors 120 or the laser distance meters 122 will generally be adapted to measure the distance from the walls 124, 125 in the first area, e.g., Room 1, to further determine the location of the patient handling device 22 in the room. A search table with predefined distance ranges corresponding to different zones A, B can be loaded into processing station 50. For example, after rolling or introducing the patient handling device 22 into the room, the sonic distance sensors 120 or the laser distance meter 122 can be manually or automatically operated to measure from established boundaries, e.g. walls 124, 125, and the measured distances can be compared with relevant zones A, B selected from the search table.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 19, the second location device is a Hall effect sensor 126 cooperating with one or more room magnets 128 arranged in the room to determine the zonal position of the patient handling device 22. In each of the embodiments of Fig. 16 - 19 sonic distance sensors 120, laser distance meter 122 and Hall effect sensor 126 can be adapted to transmit signals that communicate, directly or indirectly, with the processing station 50 to display the position of the device 22 for servicing the patient regarding the room and zone . In one version, the communication module 48 communicates electronically with such second locating devices 109 and the processing station 50 to transmit a second unique position identifier from the second locating devices 109 to the processing station 50. Again, as with the previously described embodiments, the patient handling device 22 has a unique ID and the communication module 48 communicates this unique ID to the processing station 50, so that the processing station 50 can correlate the first unique location identifier and the second unique location identifier with a patient handling device 22 to determine the location of the patient handling device 22 regarding the room and zone.

[0064] Of course, in the light of the above description, many modifications and changes are possible. The invention may be implemented differently from what has been specifically described in the scope of the appended claims.