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A control system for an RFID-based system for assembling and verifying outbound surgical equipment corresponding to a particular surgery. A user enters a identification number of a surgery. The control system queries a database of surgery information and outputs a list of required surgical equipment, such as surgical instrument sets. An operator uses the list to pick instrument sets for loading into a shipping tote. Each set is tagged with an RFID inventory tag that stores identification information for that set such as a set name and ID number. The shipping tote is passed through an RFID reader and identification data read from the tags is compared against the identification data for sets required for that surgery. A status indicator is activated to alert a user as to whether the surgery is complete that is, all expected sets are present, or that exception handling is required. The control system updates a database such as an ERP system to reflect that the surgery including the required sets has shipped—and the sets are inventoried out to the intended recipient.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument kits, and help to assess the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.

The present invention provides systems and methods for obtaining, standardizing, aggregating, analyzing, reporting and delivering financial and operational information associated with one or more businesses. Business performance information having a user-defined format is obtained from a business and is standardized by mapping to a standard format, preferably using an automated process. Various analysis techniques may be performed on the converted business performance information and one or more performance reports and / or alerts may be generated and delivered. The standardized performance information also may be provided to requesting parties for additional processing. The present invention also provides a system and method for maintaining a database of aggregated, standardized business performance information from a plurality of businesses. Performance information from a particular business may be compared to representative performance metrics derived from the aggregated performance information to benchmark the performance of the particular business relative to similar businesses.

The present invention provides a technique for an access point (AP) to maintain a basic service set (BSS) on two or more channels simultaneously by temporarily blocking one BSS and servicing the other BSS while the other BSS is blocked, thereby providing an efficient way to create a dual cell AP with only a single radio. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for servicing a first set of wireless stations operating on a first channel of an access point and a second set of wireless stations operating on a second channel of the access point comprises transmitting, at a first time, a first frame from the access point to the first set of wireless stations via the first channel, the first frame having duration data directing the first set of wireless stations to cease transmitting until a second time represented by the duration data and servicing the second set of wireless stations via the second channel of the access point for at least a part of a time period between the first time and the second time. The method further comprises transmitting, at the second time, a second frame from the access point to the second set of wireless stations via the second channel, the second frame having duration data directing the second set of wireless stations to cease transmitting until a third time represented by the duration data of the second frame and servicing the first set of wireless stations via the first channel of the access point for at least a part of a time period between the second time and the third time. The method also may comprise transmitting a Delivery Transmission Indication Map (DTIM) frame prior to transmitting each of the first and second frames. The transmission of the DTIM frame preferably occurs substantially simultaneously with a Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) of the access point.

A system and method for configuring a plurality of processing nodes into a parallel-processing database system are described herein. Each of a plurality of processing nodes connected by a network receive software and one or more configuration files related to the intended function of the processing node. The software may include homogeneous agent software, one or more library dynamic-link libraries (DLL), and the like. The configuration file is used to configure the homogeneous agent to operate as the intended node in a global-results processing matrix, a general-purpose query processing matrix, or a index-base query processing matrix. Another node or nodes may be configured to convert query-based programming code to intermediary source code in a common programming language and then compile the intermediary source code into a dynamic link library (DLL) or other type of executable. The DLL is then distributed among the processing nodes of the processing matrix, whereupon various subsets of the processing nodes execute related portions of the DLL substantially in parallel to generate query results.

Disclosed herein are exemplary techniques for the communication of information in a wireless system by using multiple wireless channels. A direct link between two or more wireless devices may be established by performing a direct link setup between two or more wireless devices using an access point, where the direct link setup is conducted over a base channel and the direct link is established on a parallel channel. The two or more wireless devices may switch to the parallel channel and use the established direct link to communicate information directly without the access point as an intermediary. In anticipation of a predetermined event, such as the transmission of a delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) beacon frame by the access point, the two or more wireless devices may switch back to the base channel so that uplink, downlink and / or peer-to-peer information may be transmitted and / or received.

A surgical instrument tray shipping tote identification system is provided. During transit to or from a medical facility, processing center, distribution center or other location, multiple surgical instruments trays are placed in an instrument tray shipping tote. Each instrument tray includes at least one RFID transponder tag storing identification information about that tray. The shipping tote has a bar coded shipping label affixed to one surface generated at the point of origin. When the tote arrives at the distribution center, it is placed on a conveyor system that includes a reading station having an RFID transceiver and a bar code reader. Information read from the RFID transponder tags and the bar code label is transmitted by a controller to an external database to check for any off-nominal status indicators. Once this check is performed, an indication is sent back to the controller and an appropriate indicator on the identification system is activated.

Disclosed herein are exemplary techniques for managing power in a direct wireless link between two wireless devices. The present invention provides at least three direct link power management techniques: Fast Resumption Mode (FRM) wherein the direct link is resumed automatically at a specified timing synchronization function (TSF); Slow Resumption Mode (SRM) wherein the direct link may be resumed by sending a Resume-Request via the access point; and Reverse Polling (RP), wherein one peer station of the direct link is continually awake and the other peer station uses reverse polling to start a service period. Thus, a method for power management of a direct wireless link between two wireless devices is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of establishing a direct wireless link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device; transmitting, from a first wireless device, a frame having a time value; receiving, at the second wireless device, the frame from the first wireless device; suspending the direct wireless link a duration determined based on the time value; and resuming the direct wireless link at a time determined based on the time value.

Disclosed herein is a communications system implementing a headset wirelessly connected to a half-duplex communications device, such as a two-way radio or a radio-simulating cellular phone. The headset may incorporate a transmit / receive switch wherein a transmit signal is wirelessly transmitted from the headset to the communications device to direct the communications device to enter into a transmit mode. Alternatively, a wireless transmit / receive switch may be implemented separately from the wireless headset, where the wireless transmit / receive switch may be positioned in the proximity of the communications device and the headset and may be engaged by a user to direct the communications device to enter a transmit mode.

Disclosed herein is a communications system implementing a headset wirelessly connected to a half-duplex communications device, such as a two-way radio or a radio-simulating cellular phone. The headset may incorporate a transmit / receive switch wherein a transmit signal is wirelessly transmitted from the headset to the communications device to direct the communications device to enter into a transmit mode. Alternatively, a wireless transmit / receive switch may be implemented separately from the wireless headset, where the wireless transmit / receive switch may be positioned in the proximity of the communications device and the headset and may be engaged by a user to direct the communications device to enter a transmit mode.

Disclosed herein are exemplary techniques for the communication of information in a wireless system by using multiple wireless channels. A direct link between two or more wireless devices may be established by performing a direct link setup between two or more wireless devices using an access point, where the direct link setup is conducted over a base channel and the direct link is established on a parallel channel. The two or more wireless devices may switch to the parallel channel and use the established direct link to communicate information directly without the access point as an intermediary. In anticipation of a predetermined event, such as the transmission of a delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) beacon frame by the access point, the two or more wireless devices may switch back to the base channel so that uplink, downlink and / or peer-to-peer information may be transmitted and / or received.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument kits, and help to assess the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument kits, and help to assess the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays is disclosed. The method, apparatus, and system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae, causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis. The method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instrument kits, and help to assess the surgical instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.

An automated system for allowing a submitter business to selectively share business performance information with requestor businesses through a business performance information sharing data center computer system over the Internet. A submitter business uploads a data file including business performance information such as a trial balance report generated by the business' own accounting software program. The uploaded file is converted from the submitter-defined format to a standardized format. Various business performance data analyses are performed on the standardized data including generating standardized business performance reports and analyzing the data in accordance with financial metrics. After the business performance data has been formatted and analyzed, the submitter will specify one or more companies authorized to view the business performance data including specifying a level of business performance detail, from a plurality of levels of detail, and / or a business performance time period for which that company may view business performance information.

Disclosed herein are exemplary techniques for initiating a direct wireless link between two wireless devices. The system and method include transmitting, from a first wireless device, a first frame having a destination media access control (MAC) address of the second wireless device, wherein the first frame includes direct link information encapsulated at the logical link control level; receiving, at the first wireless device, a second frame from a second wireless device, the second frame having a destination MAC address and being intended for the first wireless device, wherein the second frame includes direct link information encapsulated at the logical link control level; and establishing a direct wireless link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device when a third frame is transmitted from the first wireless device, the third frame having a destination media access control (MAC) address of the second wireless device, wherein the third frame includes direct link information encapsulated at the logical link control level.

Disclosed are exemplary implementations of an instrument having an RFID tag formed in or on the material of its handle. One or more antenna segments of the RFID tag may be formed from conductive material printed on or otherwise applied to a surface of the material or they may be formed from a conductive foil or other preformed material applied to the surface of the elastic material of the instrument handle. The antenna segments may be configured to represent at least a portion of a graphic, such as a company logo, for viewing by a user or handler of the instrument. At least a portion of the RFID tag and surrounding of the instrument handle may be covered by a protective material to prevent damage to the RFID tag as a result of repeated handling or subjection of the instrument to autoclaving, sterilization or caustic materials.

An RFID tag that incorporates at least one integral or permanently attached twist-tie fastener for easy attachment, detachment and reattachment to various items to be inventoried is provided. The RFID tag is included at least partially in a protective housing to permit it to be utilized in hostile environments. The twist-tie portion is attached to the tag and preferably is constructed of a braided or single strand wire. One or more visual indicia also may be printed on the face of the protective housing.

Systems and methods for processing surgical instrument tray shipping totes. A control system is adapted to control a bar code reader module, an RFID module, a database module and an interface module. The control system provides functionality adapted to process incoming and outgoing surgical instrument shipping totes containing one or more RFID-enabled surgical instrument trays. A database, ERP system or other system in communication with the control system alerts the operator of the status of an incoming tote and / or trays contained in the tote to increase processing efficiency and speed.

A method for distributing and sorting data among a plurality of nodes is described herein. After receiving a portion of a data set (e.g., a database), each node sorts its portion and estimates a partitioning of the sorted dataset among the nodes based in part on its own sorted data portion. Each node then provides a representation of its estimated partition to a master node. The master node, using the provided estimated partitions, determines a tentative partitioning and submits the tentative partitioning to each node. Each node then determines the effect the tentative partitioning using its data portion. If the effect is acceptable for each node, the tentative partitioning plan is used to partition the data. Otherwise, the tentative partitioning plan is repeatedly revised by the master node and considered by the nodes having data portions until an acceptable or optimum partitioning is determined. Each node then distributes data from its data portion that falls outside the partition assigned to the node to the appropriate node. Upon receipt of this data, each node can perform a merge sort to add the received data to the previously sorted data portion at the node.

Persistent protection for application-specific or dependent software such as a workbook for use with independent software (such as Excel™) includes encryption of at least some instructions or other key information before distribution hence providing intellectual property security and (optionally) location security. The cooperative decoder module provides means for secure and controlled decryption of the secured content, if the cooperative security module has confirmed an authorised environment. The invention provides persistent security such that the secured content remains encrypted and is barred from access such as by a hacker, so cannot feasibly be amended or published.

A system and method for scheduling database operations to one or more databases in a parallel-processing database system are described herein. After a query server generates a dynamic-link library (DLL) or other executable representative of one or more database operations to a database, the query server notifies a scheduling services module of the generation of the DLL and submits the DLL to a query agent. The query agent notifies the scheduling services module of its receipt of the DLL. Based on any of a variety of considerations, the scheduling services module schedules a time of execution for the DLL by one or more processing matrices that store the database. At the scheduled time, the scheduling services module directs the query agent to submit the DLL to the indicated processing matrices. The scheduling services module also can be adapted to monitor the execution of previously submitted DLLs by one or more processing matrices and adjust the scheduled times of execution for subsequent DLLs accordingly.

Disclosed are exemplary implementations of an instrument having an RFID tag formed in or on the material of its handle. One or more antenna segments of the RFID tag may be formed from conductive material printed on or otherwise applied to a surface of the material or they may be formed from a conductive foil or other preformed material applied to the surface of the elastic material of the instrument handle. The antenna segments may be configured to represent at least a portion of a graphic, such as a company logo, for viewing by a user or handler of the instrument. At least a portion of the RFID tag and surrounding of the instrument handle may be covered by a protective material to prevent damage to the RFID tag as a result of repeated handling or subjection of the instrument to autoclaving, sterilization or caustic materials.

The invention provides an automatic protecting method for a computer system based on Bluetooth device authentication. In the method, a control program is written in a disk MBR (Master Boot Record), and double authentication of hardware equipment and user identity is realized by combining a Bluetooth wireless transmitting protocol before an operating system is started and using a Bluetooth address, a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code and a mobile terminal IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) number. In an operation process of the operating system, automatic real-time monitoring is set, the system can be automatically locked and can not be operated once the Bluetooth device of a user deviates from the coverage area of a Bluetooth adapter; and the system can be automatically unlocked and recovered for operation once the Bluetooth device of the user returns to the coverage area.

A control system for an RFID-based system for assembling and verifying outbound surgical equipment corresponding to a particular surgery. A user enters a identification number of a surgery. The control system queries a database of surgery information and outputs a list of required surgical equipment, such as surgical instrument sets. An operator uses the list to pick instrument sets for loading into a shipping tote. Each set is tagged with an RFID inventory tag that stores identification information for that set such as a set name and ID number. The shipping tote is passed through an RFID reader and identification data read from the tags is compared against the identification data for sets required for that surgery. A status indicator is activated to alert a user as to whether the surgery is complete that is, all expected sets are present, or that exception handling is required. The control system updates a database such as an ERP system to reflect that the surgery including the required sets has shipped—and the sets are inventoried out to the intended recipient.

Systems and methods for processing surgical instrument tray shipping totes. A control system is adapted to control a bar code reader module, an RFID module, a database module and an interface module. The control system provides functionality adapted to process incoming and outgoing surgical instrument shipping totes containing one or more RFID-enabled surgical instrument trays. A database, ERP system or other system in communication with the control system alerts the operator of the status of an incoming tote and / or trays contained in the tote to increase processing efficiency and speed.