AU2022200618A1 - Contact Tracing and Status Determination with Near Field Communications - Google Patents

Abstract

A device of a monitoring system; each device operating in a distribution of devices; each device provided with readable and writable tags capable of Device to Device communication; each device further assessing proximity and duration of a devicetodevice communication event, and wherein a wearer of the device is alerted to a communication event with a known contagious wearer.

Description

CONTACT TRACING AND STATUS DETERMINATION WITH NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to devices and systems aiding monitoring functions. In some aspects although not exclusively the monitoring function may assist control of infectious/communicable disease and, more particularly although not exclusively, to identifying contacts between an infectious carrier of a communicable disease and others.

[0002] In other aspects the devices and systems assist monitoring more generally including monitoring of assets. The assets may be in varied environment and may include but are not limited to machinery and medicines.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The importance of contact tracing has been brought home in every pandemic. While such tracing has in earlier pandemics required manual techniques of visiting, interviewing and physically following up contacts, modern technology has greatly facilitated and increased the efficiency.

[0004] Numerous technological systems for contact tracing have been devised, many of them having their genesis in the Covid-19 pandemic emerging in 2019. Many of these have been the initiative of national health authorities and have operated within national boundaries. Examples of these tracing apps, mobile device based applications, were deployed in China, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom to name a few, mostly with mixed success.

[0005] Privately developed tracking capable devices also already existed or appeared in the market. Examples include the Romware RadiusTM (https://shop.rombit.be/) and the KINEXON Safetag (http://kinexon.com/technology/safetag), both smart watch type configurations. Also in the field of tracking devices is the "estimote" device, (http://estimote.com/wearable/) , though it is primarily directed at workplace safety as a tracking device for employees.

[0006] A patented system is disclosed in US8405503, in which a contact or proximity network map is generated from instances of contact between entities. People who have come into contact with known contagious people are identified and tested and quarantined.

[0007] A similar map-based system is disclosed in JP5401556 for tracking, mapping and predicting the transmission of infections.

[0008] Other examples of tracking or tracing systems may be found at the following references: https://shop.rombit.be/ https://kinexon.com/technology/safetag https://estimote.com/wearable/ https://www.tended.co.uk/social-distancing-solution

[0009] None of these known systems however provide for alerting a person that they may have just come into contact with a known contagious carrier, automatically in real-time after the contact has taken place.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

NOTES

[0011] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of'.

[0012] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a device of a monitoring system; each device operating in a distribution of devices; each device provided with readable and writable tags capable of DevicetoDevice communication; each device further assessing proximity and duration of a device to device communication event, and wherein a wearer of the device is alerted to a communication event with a known contagious wearer.

[0014] Preferably, each device is identifiable by means of a unique identity assigned to the device.

[0015] Preferably, the device is paired with at least one mobile communication device; the mobile communication device loaded with an application of the monitoring system.

[0016] Preferably, the mobile communication device is a mobile phone paired with the device.

[0017] Preferably, the device is further enabled to communicate with a Cloud based server; records of device to device communication events sent to a Cloud based server database.

[0018] Preferably, each mobile communication device paired with the device is programmable to record a status of a wearer of the device.

[0019] Preferably, the status recorded in the mobile communication device relates to a positive or negative infectious condition of the wearer.

[0020] Preferably, the mobile communication device is configurable for a change in status by push notifications from the Cloud based server or another recognized status determining source.

[0021] Preferably, the device stores identification details of the wearer.

[0022] Preferably, the device stores the wearer's key medical data; the medical data including current medication, current medical conditions and allergies.

[0023] Preferably, the device is provided with a Near Field Communication chip; the chip allowing extraction of medical data from the device by a third-party reader.

[0024] Preferably, the device further include a Near Field Communication chip reader.

[0025] Preferably, the device is paired with more than one mobile communication device.

[0026] Preferably, multiple devices are paired to one mobile communication device.

[0027] Preferably, the wearer of the device receives an alert if a proximity and duration event occurs with another device of a wearer in which the status is that of infectious.

[0028] Preferably, the system further includes at least one monitoring device adapted for communicating with the device; or each monitoring device configured to scan data and/or statuses from the device.

[0029] Preferably, the monitoring device produces configurable alert indicators responsive to the data and/or statuses scanned from the device.

[0030] Preferably, the monitoring device generates an alert when the device with an infectious or other statuses seeks entry into a monitored area.

[0031] Preferably, the wearer of the device is a sniffer dog.

[0032] Preferably, the wearer of the device is a drone.

[0033] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of alerting a wearer of a first wearable device of contact with another wearer of a second wearable device in which an infectious status recorded in the second wearable device is positive; the method including the steps of: providing each of the first and second wearable devices with a readable and writable tag device capable of Device to Device communication; pairing each tag with at least one mobile communication device associated with each wearer of the first and second wearable devices; recording in a database of a cloud-base server a communication event if the first and second wearable devices approach one another to within a predefined separation and for a predefined duration; recording a time interval for which the first and second wearable devices are within the predefined separation; transmitting an alerting message to the first wearable device or to the mobile communication device paired with the first wearable device.

[0034] Preferably, the cloud-based server transmits alerting messages to all mobile communication devices paired with wearable devices which recorded contact with a wearable device in which status is positive.

[0035] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is prov method of alerting users to possible exposure to a communicable disease; the method including the steps of: Users downloading an application associated with an infection monitoring system onto a mobile communication device, Users acquiring a wearable device dedicated to the application, Pairing the wearable device with the user's mobile communication device in the form of a mobile phone or smartphone, Changing the status of the wearable device of any user who has tested positive to the communicable disease from negative to positive, Recording in a database date and time of any wearable device to wearable device contact where the wearable devices have approached to within a predefined separation and for a predefined duration, Sending alerting messages to communication devices of users who have had contact with a user in whose wearable device the status is positive or other status.

[0036] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of controlling entry of an infectious or at risk of infection wearer of a wearable device into a controlled area; the wearable device monitored by a monitoring device of a wearable device monitoring system; the method including the steps of: changing a status within the wearable device to positive if the wearer has tested positive in an infection test; scanning the wearable device by means of the monitoring device located at an entry point to the controlled area; denying entry to the wearer on detection of a positive status by the monitoring device.

[0037] Preferably, the monitoring device is provided with configurable indicators; the indicators including visual and audible alert signals.

[0038] Preferably, the monitoring device is a wearable device attached to a sniffer dog.

[0039] Preferably, the monitoring device is a wearable device mounted to a drone.

[0040] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of detecting infectious or at risk persons at a point of entry into or exit from a controlled area; the method including equipping each person with a wearable device paired with a mobile communication device; the method including the steps of: Equipping the wearable device with device to device communication ability, Providing a monitoring device at the point of entry; the monitoring device capable of device to device communication; Recording to a database a contact event when a wearable device of a person comes into proximity with the monitoring device, Noting an infectious status or other status of the person as recorded on the wearable device, Alerting authorities at the point of entry or exit of the controlled area.

[0041] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of improving safety of persons in an elevator; the method including the steps of: Equipping the elevator with a monitoring device; the monitoring device capable of device to device communication with wearable devices of persons entering the elevator; The monitoring device acting in a first response recording to a cloud based database a device to device communication event in which a wearable device of a person records an infectious status; The monitoring device activating in a second response emitting atomized disinfectant from a ceiling-mounted sprayer.

[0042] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of tracking an asset; the method comprising mounting the wearable device of the device as described above to an asset; thereby to monitor the asset.

[0043] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of improving safety of persons about to enter a restricted area; the method including the steps of: Equipping the restricted area with a monitoring device; the monitoring device capable of device to device communication with wearable devices of persons entering the restricted area; The monitoring device acting in a first response recording to a cloud based database a device to device communication event in which a wearable device of a person records entry to the restricted area.

[0044] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention there is provided a wearable device of a monitoring system; each wearable device operating in a distribution of wearable devices; each wearable device provided with readable and writable tags capable of Device to Device communication; each device further assessing proximity and duration of a device to device communication event, and wherein a wearer of a device is alerted to a communication event with a known contagious wearer.

[0045] Preferably, each device is identifiable by means of a unique identity assigned to the device.

[0046] Preferably, the wearable device is paired with at least one mobile communication device; the mobile communication device loaded with an application of the monitoring system.

[0047] Preferably, the mobile communication device is a mobile phone paired with the wearable device.

[0048] Preferably, the device is further enabled to communicate with a Cloud based server; records of device to device communication events sent to a Cloud based server database.

[0049] Preferably, each mobile communication device paired with a wearable device is programmable to record a status of a wearer of the wearable device.

[0050] Preferably, the status recorded in the mobile communication device relates to a positive or negative infectious condition of the wearer.

[0051] Preferably, the mobile communication device is configurable for a change in status by push notifications from the Cloud based server or another recognized status determining source.

[0052] Preferably, the device stores identification details of the wearer.

[0053] Preferably, the device stores the wearer's key medical data; the medical data including current medication, current medical conditions, allergies.

[0054] Preferably, the device is provided with a Near Field Communication chip; the chip allowing extraction of medical data from the device by a third-party reader.

[0055] Preferably, the device further include a Near Field Communication Chip reader.

[0056] Preferably, the device is paired with more than one mobile communication device.

[0057] Preferably, multiple wearable devices are paired to one mobile communication device.

[0058] Preferably, a wearer of a device receives an alert if a proximity and duration event occurs with another device of a wearer in which the status is that of infectious.

[0059] Preferably, the system further includes at least one monitoring device adapted communicating with a wearable device; the or each monitoring device configured to scan data and/or statuses from the wearable device.

[0060] Preferably, the monitoring device produces configurable alert indicators responsive to the data and/or statuses scanned from a wearable device.

[0061] Preferably, the monitoring device generates an alert when a wearable device with an infectious status seeks entry into a monitored area.

[0062] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of alerting a wearer of a first wearable device of contact with another wearer of a second wearable device in which an infectious status recorded in the second wearable device is positive; the method including the steps of: providing each of the first and second wearable devices with readable and writable tag devices capable of Device to Device communication; recording in a database of a cloud-base server a communication event if the first and second wearable devices approach one another to within a predefined separation and for a predefined duration; recording a time interval for which the first and second wearable devices are within the predefined separation; transmitting an alerting message to the first wearable device or to a mobile communication device paired with the first wearable device.

[0063] Preferably, the cloud-based server transmits alerting messages to all mobile communication devices paired with wearable devices which recorded contact with a wearable device in which status is positive.

[0064] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of alerting users to possible exposure to a communicable disease; the method including the steps of: users downloading an application associated with an infection monitoring system onto a mobile communication device, users acquiring a wearable device dedicated to the application, pairing the wearable devices with a user's mobile communication device, changing the status or any one of multiple status indicators of the wearable device of any user who has tested positive to the communicable disease from negative to positive, recording in a database date and time of any wearable device to wearable device contact where the wearable devices have approached to within a predefined separation and for a predefined duration, sending alerting messages to communication devices of users who have had contact with a user in whose wearable device the status is positive.

[0065] In a preferred form Predefined separation is updatable to different separations and time durations.

[0066] Accordingly, in another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling entry of an infectious wearer of a wearable device into a controlled area; the wearable device monitored by a monitoring device of a wearable device monitoring system; the method including the steps of: changing a status within the wearable device to positive if the wearer has tested positive in an infection test; scanning the wearable device by means of the monitoring device; denying entry to the wearer on detection of a positive status or other statuses or combination of statuses.

[0067] Preferably, the monitoring device is provided with configurable indicators; the indicators including visual and audible alert signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0068] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0069] Figure 1 is a representation of initiating a contact tracing system according to a preferred embodiment;

[0070] Figure 2 is representation of the interactions between elements of the contact tracing system of figure 1;

[0071] Figure 3 is a representation of the contact tracing system of figures 1 and 2 responding to a positive infectious status detection,

[0072] Figure 4 is a representation of a further embodiment of the tracing system in use to prevent entry of an infectious person into a controlled area,

[0073] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic representations of a further implementation of a tracing system according to the invention,

[0074] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment.

[0075] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a router in accordance with a further embodiment.

[0076] Figure 9 is a second perspective view of the router of figure 8.

[0077] Figure 10 is a side perspective view of the router of figure 8.

[0078] Figure 11 is a side view of the router of figure 8.

[0079] Figure 12 is an engineering drawing of the router of figure 8.

[0080] Figure 13 is a representation of a Patients Medication Dosage Pack in accordance with a further embodiment.

[0081] Figure 14 is a representation of a dose tube and the dose tube cap of the Patients Medication Dosage Pack of figure 13.

[0082] Figure 15 is an engineering drawing of the Medication Adherence Program system.

[0083] Figure 16 a representation of the Near Field Communication Chips incorporated into adhesive patches of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15.

[0084] Figure 17 is a representation of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15 in use.

[0085] Figure 18 is a representation of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15 in use.

[0086] Figure 19 is a representation of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15 in use.

[0087] Figure 20 is an electronic block diagram of the main electronic components of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0088] Figure 21 is a brief description of a vaccine status storage capability of a tag according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0089] In a preferred embodiment of the tracing system of the invention, a plurality of wearable devices operate in a distribution of such devices. Each wearable device is provided with readable and writable RFID tags capable of device to device communication. Each RFID tag, and thus each wearable device, is assigned a unique identifier. An application installed on a mobile communication device of the wearer of a wearable device, is paired with the wearable device. Preferably, the device is powered by a rechargeable battery, either from a suitable mains power source or from a solar panel responsive to both natural and artificial light.

[0090] In cases where a person does not have a mobile communication device, tag pairing may be accomplished by a USB dongle, WIFI, Esim or a Physical Sim for download/upload to the Cloud.

[0091] Although, RFID technology is the preferred system for device to device communication, as an alternative, ultra wideband (UWB) of "ultraband", a radio technology using very low energy for short-range, high-bandwidth communication over a large portion of the radio spectrum, may also be used. In recent times, UWB support has become available in some "high end" smart phones. An advantage of UWB technology is that its transmissions do not interfere with conventional narrow band and carrier wave transmission in the same frequency band.

[0092] UWB then, is a technology for transmitting information spread over a large bandwidth (> 500MHz) and should, in theory and under the right circumstances, be able to share spectrum with other users. Regulatory settings by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States intend to provide an efficient use of radio bandwidth while enabling high-data-rate personal area network (PAN) wireless connectivity, longer-range, low-data-rate application, as well as radar and imaging systems.

[0093] Each wearable device paired with a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, is thus enabled to communicate with a cloud-based server. A wearable device may be paired with more than one mobile communication device and, conversely, more than one wearable device may be paired with one mobile communication device.

[0094] The application resident on a mobile communication device is programmable to change the status of a paired wearable device from a default, non-infected status to an infected status or other statuses. These changes in status may be occur automatically by push notification from the cloud-based server or from a recognized authority, such as an infection testing laboratory. Alternatively, a wearer of a wearable device who receives a positive test result may enter that result into the application.

[0095] A device communication event occurs if two wearable devices come into sufficient proximity to one another, and the proximity is maintained for a predetermined time interval. The cloud-based server continuously monitors all wearable devices in which the status is positive, and when such a wearable device is involved in a communication event, the time and date of the event are recorded and an alert sent to the mobile communication device paired with the other wearable device involved in the communication event. The alert, informing the wearer of a possible infection risk, will recommend the wearer to get tested for infection, and take isolation precautions.

[0096] When the status of a wearer is first changed from negative to positive, the cloud-based server retrieves all communication events which have occurred between that wearer and others within a relevant elapsed time period including the communicable disease for which tested positive, for example in the last fourteen days, and sends alert messages to all those who came into contact, advising them of the possibility of infection and recommending testing and caution.

[0097] It will be noted that the system is fully automated; all device to device communication between that of a known infected person, including the unique IDs of the communicating tags, the date and the time of contact, are automatically recorded and available for follow-up communication with potentially infected persons.

[0098] Implementation of the above embodiment is as follows: - A user downloads an application associated with the system onto a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, - The user acquires a personal wearable device dedicated to the application, - The wearable device is paired with the mobile communication device, - If the user has tested positive to an infectious disease, the status of the wearable device is changed to positive via the user's mobile communication device, either from Cloud based servers, from a testing laboratory, or by input by the user, - Any approach to within a predefined distance between wearable device of the user with other wearable devices, trigger a device to device communications,

- The date, time and IDs of the communications are transmitted via the paired mobile phone, Cloud Reader or directly to secure Cloud-base servers, - If the status of one of the communicating devices is positive, that is the wearer has tested positive for an infection, the Cloud servers send alerting messages to all mobile communication devices of wearers with which the user has exchanged communications within a given period, recommending the wearers to be tested for infection.

[0099] It should be noted, that the alerting message sent to wearer's mobile communication device only includes the information that the wearer has been in contact within the last predefined period with someone who has tested positive to a communicable disease, and recommends the wearer seek testing. Since the system of the invention does not track locations, the alerting message includes no information of where or when the contact occurred.(we call this to be "de-identified")

[0100] In at least one preferred embodiment, the wearable device, in addition to the wearer's ID, including a photo, stores the wearer's key medical data; the medical data including current medication, current medical conditions and allergies. In this instance, the wearable device is provided with a Near Field Communication chip; the chip allowing extraction of medical data from the device by a third-party reader.

[0101] The wearable device features may be summarized as follows: • is configurable, automatically, including by push notifications, or manually, from the paired phone(s) in real time through algorithms on paired phone(s) and Cloud servers driven by real time changes in data and / or parameters on paired phone(s) and Cloud servers • stores multiple configurable statuses for different diseases and conditions, that can be dynamically updated in real time through algorithms on phones and cloud servers driven by real time data on phones and Cloud servers • stores multiple national IDs for each user including NHS number, Social Security number etc. or Australian MRN (Medical Reference Number) • stores a user's key medical data, including current medication, current medical conditions, allergies and contraindications whose content is defined by user from paired phone(s) • stores photo or ID of photos, including for rapid reading and display on a monitoring device • Multiple devices can be paired to one mobile phone, including those of children to a parent's phone, • Elderly persons' wearable devices may be paired to the mobile phone(s) of family members and/or carers,

• One wearable device may be paired with multiple mobile communication devices such as mobile phones, • A person who does not have a mobile phone device can pair their wearable device to the mobile phone of a cooperating family member, friend or carer.

[0102] Preferably, the wearable device further incorporates an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip to enable data on the device, infectious status and medical data, to be read, even in the case that the wearer is unconscious.

[0103] Other features of the wearable device include: • is always on, never turns off • is always tracing • works in hazardous environment • is waterproof • works worldwide

[0104] All communications between wearable devices, the Cloud based servers of the system, and the monitoring device (described below) are via high encryption standard.

INERTIAL SENSORS - INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNIT (IMU)

[0105] In one embodiment the wearable device includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

[0106] An inertial navigation system (INS) is a navigation device that uses a computer, motion sensors (accelerometers) and rotation sensors (gyroscopes) to continuously calculate by dead reckoning the position, the orientation, and the velocity (direction and speed of movement) of a moving object without the need for external references. Often the inertial sensors are supplemented by a barometric altimeter and occasionally by magnetic sensors (magnetometers) and/or speed measuring devices. INSs are used on mobile robots and on vehicles such as ships, aircraft, submarines, guided missiles, and spacecraft. Other terms used to refer to inertial navigation systems or closely related devices include inertial guidance system, inertial instrument, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and many other variations. Older INS systems generally used an inertial platform as their mounting point to the vehicle and the terms are sometimes considered synonymous.

NFC CARD EMULATION, NFC READER-WRITER, NFC PEER-TO-PEER

[0107] In one embodiment the wearable device may incorporate NFC card emulation. In another embodiment the wearable device may include an NFC reader-writer unit.

[0108] Every active NFC device can work in one or more of three modes:

[0109] NFC card emulation

[0110] Enables NFC-enabled devices such as smartphones to act like smart cards, allowing users to perform transactions such as payment or ticketing.

[0111] NFC reader/writer

[0112] Enables NFC-enabled devices to read information stored on inexpensive NFC tags embedded in labels or smart posters.

[0113] NFC peer-to-peer

[0114] Enables two NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other to exchange information in an ad hoc fashion.

[0115] NFC tags are passive data stores which can be read, and under some circumstances written to, by an NFC device. They typically contain data (as of 2015 between 96 and 8,192 bytes) and are read-only in normal use, but may be rewritable. Applications include secure personal data storage (e.g. debit or credit card information, loyalty program data, personal identification numbers (PINs), contacts). NFC tags can be custom-encoded by their manufacturers or use the industry specifications.

[0116] The standards were provided by the NFC Forum. The forum was responsible for promoting the technology and setting standards and certifies device compliance. Secure communications are available by applying encryption algorithms as is done for credit cards and if they fit the criteria for being considered a personal area network.

[0117] NFC standards cover communications protocols and data exchange formats and are based on existing radio-frequency identification (RFID) standards including ISO/IEC 14443 and FeliCa. The standards include ISO/IEC 18092 and those defined by the NFC Forum. In addition to the NFC Forum, the GSMA group defined a platform for the deployment of GSMA NFC Standards within mobile handsets. GSMA's efforts include Trusted Services Manager, Single Wire Protocol, testing/certification and secure element.

[0118] A patent licensing program for NFC is under deployment by France Brevets, a patent fund created in 2011. This program was under development by Via Licensing Corporation, an independent subsidiary of Dolby Laboratories, and was terminated in May 2012. A platform independent free and open source NFC library, libnfc, is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License.

[0119] Present and anticipated applications include contactless transactions, data exchange and simplified setup of more complex communications such as Wi-Fi.

[0120] Every active NFC device can work in one or mNFC card emulation Enables NFC enabled devices such as smartphones to act like smart cards, allowing users to perform transactions such as payment or ticketing.

XPay - TAG PLUS NFC CHIP

[0121] With reference to figure 20, there is shown a diagram of a device suitable for use in relation to a payment function. In one form the device is a wearable device - for example mounted in a wrist watch casing.. Preferably, the wearable device is fitted with a Near Field Communication Chip which further enables the device to operate with all contactless payment/cashless payment system,/Virtual Card Systems. This is of particular benefit in remote areas where lower socioeconomic groups are at greater risk of poor health, having higher rates of illness, disability and death, and live shorter lives than people from higher socioeconomic groups because they have no affordability to owning mobile phones or mobile phone services.

[0122] In at least one preferred embodiment, the wearable device will give the facility for all people in the world to have access to Health Care Payments and Health Credit Systems.

[0123] Although NFC is widely used in peer-to-peer payment systems and data transfer apps, NFC has a wide range of applications that can make life easier. Near Field Communication or NFC was founded in the mid-2000s, jointly by Philips and Sony, the technology has evolved over the years for diverse use-cases. With 3.4 billion active smartphones in the world today, smartphone penetration is at an all-time high. There are 2 billion NFC-enabled devices, most of the phones. "20%+ of the world's population have access to NFC."

[0124] According to Research, when observed on a broader scale, there will be 1.6 billion NFC enabled devices by 2024. The market size, in terms of revenue, is predicted to reach USD 30 Bn by 2023. A myriad of industry verticals dominated NFC in the recent past due to its increased demand for contactless and safe technology in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic. Socioeconomic factors are important determinants of health. Because poorer people have no affordability of either owning a mobile phone or access to a mobile phone service allowing them to be able to participate in society are important for maintaining good health. Social inequalities and disadvantage are the main reason for unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes and life expectancy across groups in society. Generally, people in lower socioeconomic groups are at greater risk of poor health, have higher rates of illness, disability and death, and live shorter lives than people from higher socioeconomic groups (Mackenbach 2015).

[0125] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a monitoring device. In this arrangement, a wearer's device is interrogated by the monitoring device when the wearer's device comes within a predefined distance. The monitoring device is provided with configurable warning indicators. As a wearer of a wearable device comes within sensing distance of the monitoring device, the wearable device tag is assessed, and if its status is infected, the monitoring device displays a warning light, red for example, and an audible alarm. Typically, a monitoring device of the invention is set up at the entry to a controlled area. This may be a shopping centre, entertainment venue or sports ground for example.

[0126] If a person seeking entry is not wearing a wearable device according to the invention, or if the status of a device is negative, the light displayed, for example may be green, indicates entry is permitted.

[0127] In an alternative arrangement, the monitoring device only allows entry into a controlled area if the person seeking entry is both equipped with a wearable device according to the invention, and the status of that device is negative for infection.

PATIENT'S MEDICATION DOSAGE

[0128] With reference to figures 13 and 14, there is shown a Patient's Medication Dosage embodiment. Figure 13 is a representation of a Patients Medication Dosage Pack in accordance with a further embodiment. Figure 14 is a representation of a dose tube and the dose tube cap of the Patients Medication Dosage Pack of figure 13.

[0129] Preferably, the wearable device being fitted with a Near Field Communication Chip will read and pair with a Patients Medication Dosage Pack via the Near Field Communication Chip/NFC Tag in a Medication Pack or a Dosetube.

[0130] With reference to figures 15 to 19, there is shown a Medication Adherence Program embodiment. Figure 15 is an engineering drawing of the Medication Adherence Program system. Figure 16 a representation of the Near Field Communication Chips incorporated into adhesive patches of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15. Figure 17 is a representation of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15 in use. Figure 18 is a representation of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15 in use. Figure 19 is a representation of the Medication Adherence Program system of figure 15 in use.

[0131] In at least one preferred embodiment, the wearable device further enables the device to operate in conjunction for Aged and Dementia Patients with "Medication Adherence" Procedures with the right dose,at the right time,in the right way and as often as directed. The wearable device will combine and pair with Patients Medication dosage pack and report to the back end data base/ "MAP" (Medication Adherance Program).

[0132] In this context, a wearable device which is fitted with a Near Field Communication Chip, will read and pair with a Patients Medication Dosage Pack via the Near Field Communication Chip/NFC Tag in the Medication Pack.

[0133] In at least one preferred embodiment, the wearable device further enables the device to operate in conjunction for Aged and Dementia Patients with "Medication Adherence" procedures with the right dose, at the right time, in the right way and as often as directed. The wearable device will combine and pair with Patients Medication dosage pack and report to the back end data base/ "MAP" (Medication Adherence Program).

[0134] In a further arrangement, the contact tracing system of the invention includes the use of a Near Field Communication Chip incorporated into, adhesive patches. These patches may be adapted for application to, for example food items, but also to users. In that instance patches can be impregnated or printed with unique combination of chemicals which can be interrogated by a monitoring device of the invention, leading to a diagnosis of any infection. The monitoring system then acts as described above, reporting the infection status to the cloud based server database.

[0135] In a further preferred embodiment, the monitoring device of the invention, is installed in an elevator. In this instance, the monitoring device is provided with an atomised disinfectant sprayer, preferable mounted in the ceiling of the elevator and activated in response to the detection of a wearer in which the wearable device status is positive. Detection of a positive status is transmitted back to the cloud database so that, as described above, contact tracing and transmittal of warnings of contact to people who shared the elevator.

[0136] In another arrangement the elevator checks status as people try to enter and triggers a warning alarm if a positive infectious status is detected.

[0137] In a further embodiment, the wearable devices of the invention are deployed as social distance monitoring. In this instance, when the device of one wearer comes within the mandated social distance separation of another, the devices of both wearers generates an alarm. This may be in the form of an audible sound or vibration for example, thus alerting the two users to separate.

LOCAL DISPLAY

[0138] Potentially, the Cloud result could go anywhere to any web portal provided there is user consent.

[0139] While the Cloud result may go anywhere, the result on the phone may in one form be used to display locally, e.g. border control, where the location does not have access to our Cloud or pre-arranged user consent to see the result, e.g on arrival at an airport or stadium or bar where there was no pre-arrangement or consent. The user effectively grants consent by displaying the positive (or negative) result on their phone.

[0140] The tag in this instance is used for automatic sensing as you pass, for example, a sentinel reader.

BIOTECHNICAL RECORDING and FEEDBACK

[0141] Biotechnical information including but nt limited to genetic information obtained in the course of or subsequent to a test event may be stored in a database. In preferred forms the database is a cloud-accessible database. In one form it may form part of a Cloud Reader system. The biotechnical information may then be associated with other data collected for a user in order to provide composite data.

[0142] For background information on this aspect see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/9 20378/GenomeUK_-_thefutureofhealthcare.pdf

[0143] See also https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/advice-on-the-use-of-point-of care-immunodiagnostic-tests-for-covid-19 https://www.cebm.net/covid-19/what-tests-could-potentially-be-used-for-the-screening diagnosis-and-monitoring-of-covid-19-and-what-are-their-advantages-and-disadvantages/ https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-what-are-the-different-types-of-covid-19-tests 12068081

CLOUDREADER

[0144] With reference to figures 8 to 12, there is shown a Cloud Reader embodiment. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a router in accordance with a further embodiment. Figure 9 is a second perspective view of the router of figure 8. Figure 10 is a side perspective view of the router of figure 8. Figure 11 is a side view of the router of figure 8. Figure 12 is an engineering drawing of the router of figure 8.

[0145] Cloud Reader: The Reader Router, is a combination RFID Reader, and Router with 3G, or Next G fall-over mode. The Reader Router can be placed in remote areas where no ADSL or cable communication is available. The Reader can read data from the local active RFID tags and transmit the data to a cloud server. This can be achieved through either the on-board ADSL, Ethernet, WLAN or 3G, next G connection or The system can be connected to any 12V DC power source. For remote applications a car battery and solar panel can be used. Mobile applications can simply be plugged into any vehicle cigarette lighter. The local on-board USB port allows for any USB 3G or next G compatible USB stick. Data Security can be greatly enhanced by the inbuilt hardware VPN channel. An optional internal GPS sends packets of data through the router to the cloud server for location purposes. This is very useful for a mobile reader-router. RFID readers are connected to a local area ethernet network. The reader can be connected directly through the hardware RJ45 connector on-board, to the local network switch or router ethernet ports. In a remote area the Reader will be connected to a wireless router, or access point which is contained in the same housing, as the reader. The Reader communicates to the router or access point, which in turn connects to a WLAN or public network. Internet connectivity can be through a wireless usb dongle, which works in conjunction with the router, or directly through a public network. The reader router configuration is powered by a rechargeable battery or can work with any local 12VDC source. The internal rechargeable battery can be recharged through an solar panel. Any compatible RFID tags located in the useable RFID zone can be read by the RFID reader, and data can be transmitted through the Access Point, or Local Area Network, out to the internet. The RFID tag data is transmitted to a cloud server. The server stores all the data in an internal database. A complete Web interface or application, will be the front end, of the hosted cloud server. Any device that, can access the internet will be able to access the Web application and display the data locally. That includes smart phones, pads, computers, etc. A login and password will be required to access your personal data. Whenever a tag sends any data, the information will be instantly available on your local web browser or application. Multiple cloud servers can be set up to configure a large redundant internet database, with multiple sites, containing multiple readers, accessing multiple tags. Not only can a reader read multiple moving tags, but the reader could be mobile and access static tags. A vehicle containing a Reader can be moving and access tags in houses or any building as it passes by. All information can then be read by anybody that has security access to the data. Applications can be created by third party developers for different devices, smart phones etc. The system of sending the tag data is platform agnostic, and works through any device that can use TCPIP. Peripheral Device Control through Ethernet on Reader Router Access Point A micro Controller based circuit that has an ethernet TCP/IP stack and RJ45 ethernet connector is able to accept commands through the router ports, and be controlled remotely from the cloud computer. The micro-controller can have many interfaces on the circuit board to directly connect to multiple digital and analog IO ports, and hence control multiple devices, including motors, cameras, alarms, and sensors etc. The micro-controller can be programmed to suit many different environments, by changing the code within the micro-controller. A RTOS (Real Time Operating System) can be installed to obtain industrial strength reliability and multitasking capability. Each Ethernet port in the router can have a micro-controller attached, allowing a powerful multi-processing remote control system. Each micro-controller can be allowed to go to sleep mode for power efficiency. All the micro-controllers also have automatic wireless connectivity through the reader-router AP (Access Point). Embedded Web server can also allow for easy remote control

[0146] Some of the distinguishing features and advantages of the wearable device and monitoring device of the present invention may be summarised as: • Providing accurate measurement of the proximity and duration of the proximity to other Devices and records and stores the unique IDs of those other Devices and date, time and duration of the proximity • Being fully automatic, international tracing and alerting system to all those who came within proscribed distance and duration of someone who has tested positive, or who subsequently tests positive or exhibits symptoms • Allowing integration with local and national laboratories for automatic receipt of test results • Facilitating safe restart of economic activity by minimizing risk of exposure to protect crowds in public spaces by excluding known infected or at risk people, so enabling public spaces to be reopened including sports venues, airlines, trains, ferries and cruise ships, cinemas, theatres, bars and pubs, restaurants, schools and universities.

[0147] A further use and advantage of the present system is that, with the tag of the wearable device and the application resident on a wearer's mobile phone, the system allows for the wearer in a "shorthand dropbox menu" to feed their symptoms through their recovery back into the Cloud based server "portal".

[0148] Data of age and gender will be on record so that the system will be able to identify, for example, whether young people are more likely to infect older people, or vice versa, or men more likely to infect other men etc.

[0149] The number of people a given infected person subsequently infects including their proximity and duration of exposure may provide data on whether the virus is gaining or losing infectivity over time.

[0150] This will also help identify if some people are significantly more infectious than others and, since the system will know when they are, can offer them additional testing to identify why they are so infectious.

[0151] With patient consent the system could also record their ethnicity and past medical history, so that the impact, if any, of ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, smoking etc. on infectivity and vulnerability to infectious/communicable diseases can be measured.

[0152] Because all data gathered by the system of the invention is real time or very near real time, it will be possible to pick up trends very early and report them.

[0153] Because, through the application, the system has a 1:1 relationship with each wearer of a wearable device, the system can send out questionnaires to all or to specific subsets of our wearer population (by age, gender, ethnicity, location, symptoms, test status etc) to gather further data, either generally, or to answer specific questions e.g. if the system identifies specific trends that can then be focused on and get further data of.

[0154] That 1:1 relationship and ability to send out any questionnaire to any subset makes the system of the invention very interactive and responsive to rapid changes.

[0155] It may be noted that the system does not rely on tracking the location of any individual. The solution is focused and targeted only on those who are exposed to individuals known to be infected or potentially infected and delivers automatic alerts only to those specifically exposed to potential risk, wherever they may be subsequently, rather than all those who attended a particular location where an infected or at-risk individual was present.(we call this to be "de-intified")

[0156] When a wearable device is paired with the monitoring device of the invention, the monitoring device may display and emit a combination of lights and audible alerts, based on the data or statuses or combinations of data and / or statuses of wearable devices coming into sensing range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device, by reading the data and statuses on a passing wearable device, dynamically, in real time, can alert to deny entry to individuals who are known to be at risk or increased risk of infection, in order to protect other attendees.

[0157] This focused entry system is based on variable parameters, configurable in real-time and automatically via phones and cloud servers, including by the variable configurable status on the wearable device.

SNIFFER DOG APPLICATION

[0158] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, wearable devices may be placed on sniffer dogs. Additionally trained sniffer dogs are being introduced at airports for Covid 19 or other communicable disease screening since it has been shown that they, when trained, can detect that a person is infectious with a viral disease such as Covid 19 some five days prior to the start of the infectious phase. By equipping these dogs with the wearable device of the invention, both a latently infected person or a person with a wearable device in which the infectious status is positive, is immediately reported to the cloud servers and airport authorities alerted.

[0159] In the application to sniffer dogs, the wearable device of the invention is equipped additionally with at least one accelerometer to detect the animal's motion)When the dog gives an active signal to its handler of a positive Covid19 detection, the accelerometer will read the active response trained into the dogs detection training which could be the action of its front foot digging, this is the tags accelerometer to trigger for a notification/alarm.

[0160] The use of sniffer dogs thus equipped provides in effect a rapid "swab test" for the virus allowing screening of both boarding and disembarking passengers. It will be understood that such sniffer dogs may be used in addition to, or instead of the monitoring device described above, to provide entry screening at any controlled site, such as stadiums, access to trains, ships etc.

[0161] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wearable device may be incorporated in a drone. In this instance the device would be equipped with a long-range device to device communication technology such as very high range Bluetooth or High Powered UWB with sufficient range to scan over a considerable area such as a stadium or music venue, to allow rapid scanning and identification of attendees with wearable devices with a positive infectious status.

ELECTRONIC NOSE

[0162] In one embodiment the wearable device includes an electronic nose capability. In one form this comprises a specialized chip located on the wearable device and which permits the device to perceive odours and convert them to an electronic signal for further processing.

[0163] An electronic nose is a device intended to detect odors or flavors.

[0164] Over the last decades, "electronic sensing" or "e-sensing" technologies have undergone important developments from a technical and commercial point of view. The expression "electronic sensing" refers to the capability of reproducing human senses using sensor arrays and pattern recognition systems. Since 1982,[2] research has been conducted to develop technologies, commonly referred to as electronic noses, that could detect and recognize odors and flavors. The stages of the recognition process are similar to human olfaction and are performed for identification, comparison, quantification and other applications, including data storage and retrieval. However, hedonic evaluation is a specificity of the human nose given that it is related to subjective opinions. These devices have undergone much development and are now used to fulfill industrial needs.

[0165] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04475562

[0166] https://www.bizjoumals.com/tampabay/news/2020/09/30/usf-gets-national-recognition-for electronic-nose.html

[0167] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32692492/

[0168] http://msensory.com/could-airbuss-e-nose-sniff-out-biohazards-communicable-diseases like-covid-19-popular-mechanics/

TRILATERATION / TRIANGULATION OF THE SENTINEL

[0169] The "olfactory" detection process of a human or canine basically works with both an active process ( ie receptors that can smell the sent) then the brains memory process (ie: I know that smell)

[0170] The flaw in the "enose" program I not the mimicking of the "olfactory" process but the electronic device getting close enough to the scent on a human(as I see it)

[0171] When a person walks past the eNose we can use Sentinel BLE trilateration / triangulation in order to find the person amongst a crowd; although this is technically a tracking function, I believe it could be defended as we will not store the geolocation data.

[0172] In one form there may be provided a facility from the Sentinel with a camera time lapse/recordable monitor preferably set up in a position that is above the detection area.

[0173] It appears there are a number of manufacturers in the market producing such device's, I believe this to be an interesting integration opportunity, the nose does not need to be trained and works 24/7.

[0174] But this Enose monitoring as an example just caused a forensic cctv workload say in an airport for a "track&tracing facility" but when you look at how much more simplified it is when the cross-trace solution is doing it, it's definitely the example we need with e-nose/sentinel.

[0175] In one form the system may utilize a triangulation geo fence protocol.

[0176] In a further form there may be provided a facility from the Sentinel with a camera time lapse/recordable monitor preferably set up in a position that is above the detection area.

[0177] In this embodiment people who do not have a tag are scanned (for perusal with identification with face technology). If people do have a tag and come in contact with the "tag less" or "tag" carrier they will be notified.

ASSET TRACKING

[0178] In a further form embodiments of the invention may be applied to assessing and tracking assets and receiving information from them.

[0179] In this embodiment of the invention the concepts are described elsewhere relating to contact tracking of a person may be applied to the assessing and tracking and reporting of an asset and its activity.

[0180] Like a Person can have its Medical Records in Storage Facility's the Invention can carry out the same process for an Asset.

[0181] An example of this is that it is quickly becoming evident that a Company and the World Globally must have detailed data on the Carbon Implications of its Assets.

[0182] Both before purchase (embodied carbon) and during its depreciable operational life(operational carbon)

[0183] In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is a method of keeping a trace of the Assets Carbon History and Ongoing Carbon Impact during its "lifecycle"

[0184] In a preferred embodiment of the invention may record the embodied carbon, the service history, safety audit records and financial asset details plus by using "Inertial Sensors" the asset can automatically report when it is producing carbon on a site.

[0185] Ina preferred embodiment of the invention may give alive update of carbon use. Overtime this will lead to accurate carbon offset purchasing and more efficient use of assets globally.

[0186] In a preferred embodiment the device will be used in the Application of a Person coming into the restricted area of a machine/machinery operating In the Building, Roadwork, Mining, Agriculture and all safety System Applications.

[0187] In another form the device may be used for example using the inertial sensors of the IMU to track usage of machinery - for example to determine how much carbon the machine emits.

EDIBLE NFC WAFER

[0188] With reference to figures 13 and 14 there is shown a NFC Tag printed on an "Edible Wafer". The edible NFC wafer may comprise icing or frosting sheets. It more generally may comprise wafer paper.

[0189] Wafer paper (also known as rice paper) is a starch based material, made from potato or rice starches. It is a stiff but slightly transparent material, with some of the thicker sheets measuring up to 0.6mm in thickness. This means it generally maintains its shape unless exposed to a large amount of liquid, when it starts to dissolve. Common ingredients are dehydrated potato starch, oil, and water.

[0190] Icing sheets (also known as frosting sheets or sugar sheets) are layers of icing which are pressed thinly onto backing sheets. They are quite a flexible material, and much less transparent, but can be a little fragile when peeling. Ingredients are generally derived from tapioca or cornstarch, with added sugar and gums. In one embodiment the tag will be printed utilizing conductive ink.

[0191] In one form the printed circuit pad may be individual NFC tags that will be on the inside of the Medication capsule enclosure.

[0192] In one form the structure is dissolved or otherwise destroyed within the body thereby resulting in communication to the back end of the database in one form to the Instant Access Medical Facility in the "Xtrace program".

[0193] Preferably, the wearable device being fitted with the aid of a Near Field Communication Chip will read and pair with a Patients Medication Dosage Pack or Individual " Xtrace dosetube" via the Near Field Communication "EDIBLE" Chip/NFC Tag in the Medication Pack or Dosetube.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0194] Referring now to figure 5, in one implementation of the invention, in all instances, when a mobile phone 12 of a wearer of a wearable device 10 has no mobile network signal or WLAN available, data received from the tag 11 of the wearable device is stored on the mobile phone (encrypted) until data transmission can take place. When the mobile phone 12 regains conductivity, the stored data will be transmitted to an application server 14 and the data deleted from secure device storage.

REGISTRATION DESCRIPTION

[0195] In the process of pairing a wearable device tag 11 with the application on a mobile phone 12, the user must bring the wearable device 10 into the range of the mobile phone. The mobile phone will ask the user if they would like to pair with the device and a set of additional steps will be fed back to the user during the process. If the user attempts to pair a device which is already registered with the system, then registration will be stopped and the user notified that pairing is not possible.

[0196] During the pairing the tag 11 will send an encrypted registration message, this message will be passed from the mobile phone 12 to the Tag Server 14 (via the Application Server) - termed Xtrace server in Figures which will process the enrolment.

[0197] Once enrolled on the Tag Server 14 a message will be sent from Tag Server 14 to the App Server 16 where specific parameters will be stored against the user in order to identify the user and wearable device for future transactions. Once the App Server 16 has completed its registration, a message will be sent back to the Smartphone 12 advising the result of the registration.

[0198] All messages sent from the tag 11 of a wearable device 10 to the cloud based servers are encrypted using the DiffeHellman Eliptic Curve Cryptography. or other encryption system The application resident on the mobile phone of a wearer will not be enabled to decrypt information passing between the wearable device and the servers. Only the servers are able to decrypt message packets.

[0199] It should be noted that it is important that a paired device cannot be paired to a second device without first removing the pairing from the old device. If it is not possible to un-pair with the original Smartphone the Tag was paired with due to it being stolen or damaged, then a mechanism will be provided via the web portal to revoke the pairing, this process will follow a strict KYC process before un-pairing can start.

DATA SYNCHRONISATION

[0200] Data will be synchronised when the user brings the device 10 within close proximity of their Smartphone 12. If the mobile phone (in some embodiments a smartphone) has no internet connectivity the data will be persisted on the mobile phone until Internet connectivity is available at which point the data will be transferred to the server and the data which was persisted on the Smartphone will be removed.

[0201] The Tag will often be within range with the Smartphone that it is paired with, therefore to stop constant messages between the devices data retrieval from the Tag is limited to a configurable schedule. The outcome being that data is synchronised per schedule but not constantly.

[0202] When a Tag goes out of range of the Smartphone to which it is paired for a specific time period which is under the schedule time, but over the threshold time then a synchronisation will occur and the new minutes in the hour taken as the start time point for the next scheduled synchronization.

[0203] In one form, where a Tag is in close proximity of a mobile phone when it is in charging mode the mobile phone will not synchronise any data for this time period of charging.

[0204] The same encryption methods will be used throughout, as described in the previous section registration.

[0205] All data synchronised to the Tag Server will be unreadable by all servers in the solution chain other than the Tag Server. The Tag Server will send encrypted messages back to the App Server to confirm receipt / acceptance of data.

POSITIVE RESULT ENTERED PROCESS

[0206] With reference now to figure 6, a positive result will be entered into the system either by an end user, that is a wearer of a wearable device, or by an organisation such as public health authority, which will enter the details into a web-portal 20.

[0207] A positive result may also be entered by an authorized third party such as a testing laboratory via a REST API application made available to that organization.

[0208] The positive result will be proposed by the REST API on the App Server 16 which will pass the Tag Identifier to the Tag Server 14. The Tag Server will process the Tag Identifier and, based on logic embedded in a Tag Server's Rules Engine, will provide a list of Tag Identifiers who have been in contact with the originating Tag Identifier which has tested positive for the communicable disease (e.g. COVID-19 is one of many diseases which can be processed by the system of the invention).

[0209] Using the push notification service on the App Server a message will be send to each individual which has been identified by the Tag Server.

[0210] It is important to note that the Tag Identifier, unique to a wearer of a wearable device, provides for the system to identify individual users. Push notifications can thus be sent to a user. At no point is identifiable or GDPR or HIPAA sensitive data used to identify or notify a user.

[0211] In a further preferred embodiment, the system comes in the form of a wristband device that allows for tag to tag communication and ranging calculations. The wristband communicates back to a smartphone via Bluetooth and sends the data back to a cloud service database.

[0212] In a first phase one of the system addressed in this embodiment will aim to produce a proof of concept that will be larger than a wristband mounted solution. Miniaturization will be addressed in future phases.

[0213] To meet the system requirements, the following must be met to complete the project:

Requirement Validation

1 Prototype can be as big as a shoe box with the end goal size of the device Customer being a wristband

2 Device must be able to communicate with other tags and exchange unique ID Customer information

3 Device must be able to determine distance away from other tags Customer

4 Device must be able to communicate to smartphone (Android & iOS) via Customer Bluetooth

5 Device must use inductive wirelessly charged Customer

6 Must have NFC tag which is readable and writable Customer

7 Battery must last 2-3 days Customer

8 Polling rate of device must be a minimum of 1 second Customer

9 Device must sense motion Customer

10 Develop sentinel which is a internet connected version of the device which Customer includes lights and sound

11 Communicate readings back to cloud database via smartphone Customer internet connection

12 Over the Air Updates for tags via Bluetooth Customer

13 Determine distance sensing communication protocol Engineer

14 Determine appropriate Low power micro controller Engineer

15 Determine appropriate power charging circuit Engineer

16 Develop method for logging when a tag has been within a certain Engineer distance and log the data on a database

Upgrades

[0214] Details of any requirements that may need to be considered in the future. The system must be able to easily add these components with minimal cost in both hardware and labour. The items will not be delivered as part of this project.

[0215] The items are: Designing a PCB IP68 & intrinsic rating Miniaturise into a wearable sensor Adapt built in accelerometer for detection dogs

Design

[0216] Highly level overview of the core components e.g. Sensor, processor, Power.

Overview

[0217] Basic overview of the entire system. All systems have 5 key components:

[0218] Inputs Distance between tags - DW1000 Duration of contact between tags - nFR52832 Backup NFC tag which is read/write capable Smartphone app which pairs to device via Bluetooth Account association with tags Accelerometer - STM LIS2DH12TR

[0219] Outputs - DWB1001 - nRF52832 Data flows from device to smartphone via Bluetooth. The smartphone app then communicates to the cloud database via the smartphones internet connection

[0220] Processor - DWB1001 - nRF52832

Talks to localisation technology Bluetooth communications with smartphone Low Power

[0221] Power LiPo Battery Inductive charging

[0222] Interface Native Android/iOS Application

Implementation

[0223] The fine details as far as hardware and software. Perhaps effort required in installing. This section will be more thoroughly focused on how the software will be broken down, as shown in figure 7.

CROSSTRACE STATUS PASSPORT

[0224] With reference to Figs 20 and 21, a summary is provided of a particular implementation of the tag wherein data pertaining to vaccine status is retained and is available for reading by the sentinel reader. The data relating to vaccine status may include additional related data as outlined below.

[0225] During the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple locations where people gather together including airlines, clubs, sports stadiums, pop concerts, etc. would like to admit their paying customers but are unable to do so for fear of spreading coronavirus.

[0226] These locations need a system to admit only those clients who meet admission criteria set by the venue but which is secure, rapid and automatic and flexible enough to add new criteria as they become relevant.

[0227] The Crosstrace Status Passport meets these needs, cost-effectively.The Crosstrace mobile app enables citizens to record the following statuses: • Covid symptoms • Covid test results • Covid vaccination status

[0228] The Crosstrace app writes these data to the Crosstrace tag.

[0229] The Crosstrace sentinel reader is programmed by the venue to set which statuses are permissible for entry into the venue e.g.: • Negative Covid test in previous 3 days

0 Vaccination completed

[0230] The sentinel reader reads the tags of all incoming clients and triggers an alert if the client either has no tag or the statuses on their tag do not comply with those set in the sentinel reader.

[0231] The sentinel reader enables: programmable, rapid, secure, automated, screening of all incming clients.

[0232] If the client does not have a mobile phone, the client may use the Crosstrace Cloud Reader and web portal to write their statuses to the tag.

[0233] Some entry systems have codes or screen displays on smartphones to achieve access.

[0234] These require a smartphone and require manual reading.

[0235] The Crosstrace Status Passport overcomes the limitations of other smartphone systems which depend on: • Possession of a smartphone • Having the phone with you * Having the phone charged and turned on • Having an app open • Having Bluetooth turned on

Claims (32)

1. CLAIMS 1. A device of a monitoring system; each device operating in a distribution of devices; each device provided with readable and writable tags capable of Device to Device communication; each device further assessing proximity and duration of a device to device communication event, and wherein a wearer of the device is alerted to a communication event with a known contagious wearer.
2. 2. The device of claim 1 in which each device is identifiable by means of a unique identity assigned to the device.
3. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is paired with at least one mobile communication device; the mobile communication device loaded with an application of the monitoring system.
4. 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone paired with the device.
5. 5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the device is further enabled to communicate with a Cloud based server; records of device to device communication events sent to a Cloud based server database.
6. 6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each mobile communication device paired with the device is programmable to record a status of a wearer of the device.
7. 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the status recorded in the mobile communication device relates to a positive or negative infectious condition of the wearer.
8. 8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the mobile communication device is configurable for a change in status by push notifications from the Cloud based server or another recognized status determining source.
9. 9. The device of any previous claim wherein the device stores identification details of the wearer.
10. 10. The device of any previous claim wherein the device stores the wearer's key medical data; the medical data including current medication, current medical conditions and allergies.
11. 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the device is provided with a Near Field Communication chip; the chip allowing extraction of medical data from the device by a third-party reader.
12. 12. The device of claim 10 wherein the device further include a Near Field Communication chip reader.
13. 13. The device of any previous claim wherein the device is paired with more than one mobile communication device.
14. 14. The device of any previous claim wherein multiple devices are paired to one mobile communication device.
15. 15. The device of any one of claims 7 to 13 wherein the wearer of the device receives an alert if a proximity and duration event occurs with another device of a wearer in which the status is that of infectious.
16. 16. The device of any previous claim wherein the system further includes at least one monitoring device adapted for communicating with the device; or each monitoring device configured to scan data and/or statuses from the device.
17. 17. The device of claim 15 wherein the monitoring device produces configurable alert indicators responsive to the data and/or statuses scanned from thedevice.
18. 18. The device of claim 16 wherein the monitoring device generates an alert when the device with an infectious or other statuses seeks entry into a monitored area.
19. 19. The device of any previous claim wherein the wearer of the device is a sniffer dog.
20. 20. The device of any previous claim wherein the wearer of the device is a drone.
21. 21. A method of alerting a wearer of afirst wearable device of contact with another wearer of a second wearable device in which an infectious status recorded in the second wearable device is positive; the method including the steps of;

    - providing each of the first and second wearable devices with a readable and writable tag device capable of Device to Device communication; - pairing each tag with at least one mobile communication device associated with each wearer of the first and second wearable devices; - recording in a database of a cloud-base server a communication event if the first and second wearable devices approach one another to within a predefined separation and for a predefined duration; - recording a time interval for which the first and second wearable devices are within the predefined separation; - transmitting an alerting message to the first wearable device or to the mobile communication device paired with the first wearable device.

    21. The method of claim 18 wherein the cloud-based server transmits alerting messages to all mobile communication devices paired with wearable devices which recorded contact with a wearable device in which status is positive.
22. 22. A method of alerting users to possible exposure to a communicable disease; the method including the steps of:

    - Users downloading an application associated with an infection monitoring system onto a mobile communication device, - Users acquiring a wearable device dedicated to the application, - Pairing the wearable device with the user's mobile communication device in the form of a mobile phone or smartphone, - Changing the status of the wearable device of any user who has tested positive to the communicable disease from negative to positive, - Recording in a database date and time of any wearable device to wearable device contact where the wearable devices have approached to within a predefined separation and for a predefined duration, - Sending alerting messages to communication devices of users who have had contact with a user in whose wearable device the status is positive or other status.
23. 23. A method of controlling entry of an infectious or at risk of infection wearer of a wearable device into a controlled area; the wearable device monitored by a monitoring device of a wearable device monitoring system; the method including the steps of: - changing a status within the wearable device to positive if the wearer has tested positive in an infection test; - scanning the wearable device by means of the monitoring device located at an entry point to the controlled area; - denying entry to the wearer on detection of a positive status by the monitoring device.
24. 24. The method of claim 21 wherein the monitoring device is provided with configurable indicators; the indicators including visual and audible alert signals.
25. 25. The method of claim 21 wherein the monitoring device is a wearable device attached to a sniffer dog.
26. 26. The method of claim 21 wherein the monitoring device is a wearable device mounted to a drone.
27. 27. A method of detecting infectious or at risk persons at a point of entry into or exit from a controlled area; the method including equipping each person with a wearable device paired with a mobile communication device; the method including the steps of: - Equipping the wearable device with device to device communication ability, - Providing a monitoring device at the point of entry; the monitoring device capable of device to device communication; - Recording to a database a contact event when a wearable device of a person comes into proximity with the monitoring device, - Noting an infectious status or other status of the person as recorded on the wearable device, - Alerting authorities at the point of entry or exit of the controlled area.
28. 28. A method of improving safety of persons in an elevator; the method including the steps of: - Equipping the elevator with a monitoring device; the monitoring device capable of

    device to device communication with wearable devices of persons entering the elevator;

    - The monitoring device acting in a first response recording to a cloud based database a device to device communication event in which a wearable device of a person records an infectious status; - The monitoring device activating in a second response emitting atomized disinfectant from a ceiling-mounted sprayer.
29. 29. A method of tracking an asset; said method comprising mounting the wearable device of the device of any one of claims 1 to 19 to an asset; thereby to monitor the asset.
30. 30. A method of improving safety of persons about to enter a restricted area; the method including the steps of: - Equipping the restricted area with a monitoring device; the monitoring device capable of device to device communication with wearable devices of persons entering the restricted area; - The monitoring device acting in a first response recording to a cloud based database a device to device communication event in which a wearable device of a person records entry to the restricted area.
31. 31. The method of any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein a sentinel reader reads the tags of all incoming clients and triggers an alert if the client either has no tag or the statuses on their tag do not comply with those set in the sentinel reader.
32. 32. The method of any one of claims 23 to 26 or 31 wherein the wearable device includes at least the vaccine status of a wearer.

    Do•Nnload our app Get personal D,evice: Pair Devicewil:h Phone, tustor,e from 105 or Android • from an -organisation, airline, venue, Device unique 10 on phone App store employer, school etc. • or order from our app for home delivery

    Other Devices m av he possible in the future, e.g. pendants etc. 1/19

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    Fig.1

    Device .automatfcallysend:s date, Phone automatically sends Devices more than time and Unique De'llice !Dsd .:ill date, time and Unique Device 2m apart contacts doser than 2m to 1ts IDs of all contacts to our No action p.aired phone sei:ure Cloud servers 2/19

    Devices less than ...__ -:+- 2m apart ))� Each Device records dab!, time and Unique {(4 ID of other Device I Fig. 2

    ,doud serv.er:s rec:,eive posH:iVe Cl,oud:servers identifies UF:Jique Cloud servers :sends alert t□ ph,ones result from la,b or by user l!Dsof all Devke:s that were cl□:s:e d a.I I who we re ,c: lose to p-asitiVe user entering their result in our app 1t,□ pos:itiv,e u ser in last 14 da,ys a:s:kingthem to• get tested. 3/19

    Fig. 3

    As person passes by Sentine,1 Reader, if .carrying one of our Devices, the Reader beeps .and shtines a green !Ight If not carrying our Device, Sentinel Reader does not beep and shine a green �c light, and entrv is not permitted 4/19

    Fig. 4