US-20260129357-A1 - LOCATION BASED VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD

US20260129357A1US 20260129357 A1US20260129357 A1US 20260129357A1US-20260129357-A1

Abstract

A system for operating a communication device in a healthcare facility includes a locating system configured to determine locations of assets in the healthcare facility. The system also includes a communication device having a microphone array configured to detect sound signals within a detection lobe defined by an angle and an accelerometer to determine an orientation of the device.

Inventors

Brandon M. AYERS

Assignees

HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20260105

Claims (20)

1 . A method of adjusting a communication device for use in a healthcare facility based on a location of assets in the healthcare facility, the method comprising: detecting sound signals within a detection lobe of a microphone array of the communication device, wherein the detection lobe is defined by an angle, receiving a message from a locating system related to a position of at least one asset in the healthcare facility, and adjusting a magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe with a controller in response to the message received from a locating system, wherein the controller adjusts the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe based on a proximity of the communication device to the at least one asset in the healthcare facility.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one asset includes at least one other communication device.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one asset includes a patient bed.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising decreasing the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe when the controller receives a message from the locating system that the communication device is positioned adjacent to the patient bed.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising decreasing the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe when the controller receives a message from the locating system that the at least one asset is positioned within a predetermined distance to the communication device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising increasing the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe when the controller receives a message from the locating system that the at least one asset is further than a predetermined distance from the communication device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a direction of the detection lobe so that a zenith of the detection lobe is directed upward from a ground surface based on a signal from an accelerometer in the communication device.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sound signals detected by the microphone array within the detection lobe include voice commands from a caregiver.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating with the locating system through wireless signals.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the microphone array includes a plurality of settings that are remotely adjustable.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the locating system is an ultra-wideband locating system.
12 . A method of adjusting a communication device for use in a healthcare facility, the method comprising: detecting a plurality of sound signals within a detection lobe of a microphone array of the communication device, wherein the detection lobe is defined by an angle and the microphone array includes a plurality of microphones, receiving at each microphone of the plurality of microphones at least one of the plurality of sound signals, determining a time of arrival of each of the plurality of sound signals at the respective microphone of the plurality of microphones, inferring a location of a source of each sound signal of the plurality of sound signals based on the time of arrival of each of the plurality of sound signals, and adjusting a magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe by only processing the sound signals in directions of interest.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the sound signals detected by the microphone array within the detection lobe include voice commands from a caregiver.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the microphone array includes a plurality of settings that are remotely adjustable.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the microphone array is carried by a housing worn by a caregiver.
16 . A method of adjusting a communication device for use in a healthcare facility, the method comprising: detecting sound signals within a detection lobe of a microphone array of the communication device, determining an orientation of the communication device with an accelerometer and adjusting a direction of the detection lobe based on input from the accelerometer.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the direction of the detection lobe so that a zenith of the detection lobe is directed upward from a ground surface based on a signal from the accelerometer.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the sound signals detected by the microphone array within the detection lobe include voice commands from a caregiver.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the microphone array includes a plurality of settings that are remotely adjustable.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the microphone array is carried by a housing worn by a caregiver.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/481,360, filed Oct. 5, 2023, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. XX,XXX,XXX, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/424,209, filed Nov. 10, 2022, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND The present disclosure generally relates to a wearable communication device and, more particularly, to a hands-free, voice enabled wearable communication device for use in care settings. Wearable communication devices are commonly used to communicate in healthcare facilities. The devices typically include a display, a microphone configured to detect sound signals, and a speaker. The devices authenticate a caregiver based on the detection of voice recognition commands. When multiple users of a hands-free voice communication system are co-located then it can be difficult to use voice recognition commands because multiple devices can be listening or responding, thereby creating confusion and work flow conflicts. A real-time locating system can determine to position of each of a plurality of devices within the healthcare facility. SUMMARY The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. According to a first aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a communication device for use in a healthcare facility having a locating system configured to determine locations of assets in the healthcare facility is provided. The communication device includes a housing configured to be worn by a caregiver. A microphone array is carried by the housing and is configured to detect sound signals within a detection lobe defined by an angle. A controller is configured to adjust a magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe in response to at least one message received from the locating system. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controller can increase the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe when the controller receives a message from the locating system that the device is the only device within a predetermined distance. The controller can decrease the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe when the controller receives a message from the locating system that more than one device is positioned within a predetermined distance. The controller can decrease the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe when the controller receives a message from the locating system that the device is positioned adjacent to a patient bed. Optionally, in the first embodiment, the microphone array can include a plurality of microphones and each microphone of the plurality of microphones can receives at least one of a plurality of sound signals. The controller can determine a time of arrival of each of the plurality of sound signals at the respective microphone of the plurality of microphones. The controller can infer a location of a source of each sound signal of the plurality of sound signals based on the time of arrival of each of the plurality of sound signals. The controller can adjust the magnitude of the angle of the detection lobe by only processing the sound signals in directions of interest. The sound signals detected by the microphone array within the detection lobe can include voice commands from the caregiver. It can be desired, in the first aspect, that he controller can communicate with the locating system through wireless signals. The controller can communicate with remote devices in the healthcare facility through wireless signals. The microphone array can include a plurality of settings that are remotely adjustable. The locating system can be an ultra-wideband locating system. According to a second aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a communication device for use in a healthcare facility includes a housing configured to be worn on a caregiver. A microphone array is positioned within the housing and is configured to detect sound signals within a detection lobe defined by an angle. An accelerometer determines an orientation of the housing. A controller is configured to adjust a direction of the detection lobe based on input from the accelerometer. In some embodiments, of the second aspect, the controller can adjust the direction of the detection lobe so that a zenith of the detection lobe is directed upward from a ground surface. The controller can communicates with a locating system to determine a position of the housing. The controller can adjust a magnitude of an angle of the detection lobe based a message from the locating system. The locating system can be an ultra-wideband locating system. The microphone array can include a plurality of microphones and each microphone of the plurality of microphones can receive at least one of a plurality of sound signals. The controller can determin