Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing a time spent by a wireless device scanning for candidate access points (AP) during roaming. In one embodiment, a method includes, during a roaming mode of a wireless patient monitoring device connected to a wireless network via a first AP of the network, receiving AP information at the wireless patient monitoring device transmitted from one or more neighboring wireless devices connected to the WLAN using out-of-band radio communication; and connecting the wireless patient monitoring device to a second AP of the WLAN different from the first AP, based on the received AP information. The AP information may include a list of APs to which the one or more neighboring wireless devices are connected, along with corresponding signal strengths. The patient monitoring device may use the list of APs to determine a scanning strategy for selecting an appropriate AP to connect to.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for forwarding information from a patient monitoring device not connected to the wireless network to a wireless network of a healthcare facility, using out-of-band (OOB) radio communication. In one embodiment, a method for a patient monitoring device includes initiating a connectionless communication forwarding mode with a neighboring wireless device of the patient monitoring device via out-of-band (OOB) radio communication, the patient monitoring device not connected to a wireless local area network (WLAN) of the healthcare facility and the neighboring wireless device connected to the WLAN; and while operating in the connectionless communication forwarding mode, transmitting data to an information system of the healthcare facility connected to the WLAN, the data transmitted to the neighboring wireless device via the OOB radio communication, and forwarded to the information system by the neighboring wireless device via the WLAN.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for conditional scanning of a wireless network by a wireless monitoring system. The method for the wireless monitoring system comprises performing a scan of a wireless network in a first order to identify a plurality of access points (APs), reordering the plurality of APs to form a reordered group of APs based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of each AP of the plurality of APs, and scanning the reordered group in a second order different than the first order to identify a candidate AP of the reordered group to roam to.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for setting and dynamically adjusting a hysteresis value used to control roaming of a wireless monitoring system. The method for the wireless monitoring system comprises roaming to an access point (AP) based on a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a candidate AP relative to a hysteresis threshold and adjusting the hysteresis threshold responsive to a rate of change of an RSSI of a connected AP.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for adjusting behavior of a medical device. An exemplary method includes monitoring physiological data of a patient and determining whether the medical device is stationary or in motion based on detection by a proximity sensor or a motion sensor. The method further includes displaying the monitored physiological data in a first display mode in response to determining that the medical device is stationary and displaying the monitored physiological data in a second display mode in response to determining that the medical device is in motion. The second display mode is simplified comparing to the first display mode.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for adjusting behavior of a medical device. An exemplary method includes monitoring physiological data of a patient and determining whether the medical device is stationary or in motion based on detection by a proximity sensor or a motion sensor. The method further includes displaying the monitored physiological data in a first display mode in response to determining that the medical device is stationary and displaying the monitored physiological data in a second display mode in response to determining that the medical device is in motion. The second display mode is simplified comparing to the first display mode.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring and characterization of network conditions experienced by a client device coupled to a WLAN via at least one access point is presented. One or more primary performance parameters of the WLAN for a given operating interval of the client device uplink to the access point are received. At least one derived performance parameter based on the one or more primary performance parameters is computed. Trends of the primary performance parameter and the derived performance parameter are analyzed to identify occurrence of at least one problem signature. A situational awareness state characterizing the network conditions based on the at least one problem signature is defined. The situational awareness state is further processed to identify the occurrence of at least one transient fault condition in the WLAN.

Abstract: As the acuity level of a patient being monitored on a wireless system changes, the criticality of that patient's data arriving at its intended destination changes. For example, if a patient being monitored for potentially life threatening arrhythmias begins to decline in health while being monitored on a less reliable wireless system, the wireless monitor switches to a more reliable wireless system to ensure delivery of critical patient data. Allowing a patient monitor to switch between wireless infrastructures based on patient acuity limits the number of users operating on the higher cost wireless infrastructure.

Abstract: A medical device system includes a first patient monitor having a proximity beacon that communicates compatibility information and a medical device associated with the same patient as the first patient monitor. The medical device includes a device proximity detector that detects a proximity beacon when the first patient monitor is within a predetermined proximity range of the medical device, and a device workflow module executable on a processor to receive compatibility information and determine whether the first patient monitor is a compatible device. If so, then a direct communication channel is established with the first patient monitor and a device workflow is identified that corresponds with a monitor workflow executable by the first patient monitor. The medical device then communicates with the first patient monitor via the direct communication channel to execute the identified device workflow until a termination condition is reached.

Abstract: A method for evaluating non-optimal roaming of a client device in a communication network is presented. The method includes detecting a transition of the client device from a first access point to a second access point and evaluating at least one performance parameter corresponding to each of the first access point and the second access point after the client device transitions from the first access point to the second access point. Further, the method includes determining a number of one of flip-flop events and undesirable roam events based on the evaluation of the at least one performance parameter. Also, the method includes identifying the non-optimal roaming of the client device based on one of the number of flip-flop events and the number of the undesirable roam events. Furthermore, the method includes modifying at least one roaming algorithm to achieve optimal roaming of the client device in the communication network.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring and characterization of network conditions experienced by a client device coupled to a WLAN via at least one access point is presented. One or more primary performance parameters of the WLAN for a given operating interval of the client device uplink to the access point are received. At least one derived performance parameter based on the one or more primary performance parameters is computed. Trends of the primary performance parameter and the derived performance parameter are analyzed to identify occurrence of at least one problem signature. A situational awareness state characterizing the network conditions based on the at least one problem signature is defined. The situational awareness state is further processed to identify the occurrence of at least one transient fault condition in the WLAN.

Abstract: A method for evaluating non-optimal roaming of a client device in a communication network is presented. The method includes detecting a transition of the client device from a first access point to a second access point and evaluating at least one performance parameter corresponding to each of the first access point and the second access point after the client device transitions from the first access point to the second access point. Further, the method includes determining a number of one of flip-flop events and undesirable roam events based on the evaluation of the at least one performance parameter. Also, the method includes identifying the non-optimal roaming of the client device based on one of the number of flip-flop events and the number of the undesirable roam events. Furthermore, the method includes modifying at least one roaming algorithm to achieve optimal roaming of the client device in the communication network.

Abstract: A processor and a system for automated provisioning of one or more wireless devices are provided. The processor includes one or more processing subsystems communicably coupled to a guest network. The one or more processing subsystems receive one or more input data signals corresponding to a service request from the wireless devices to connect to a secured backend network. The input data signals include a plurality of service connection parameters associated with the wireless devices. The service connection parameters are then authenticated with pre-stored data. Thereafter the input data signals are processed upon authentication to establish a secured communication link with the wireless devices. Subsequently a plurality of output signals corresponding to the service request to the wireless devices for automated provisioning to establish a connection with the secured backend network.

Abstract: As the acuity level of a patient being monitored on a wireless system changes, the criticality of that patient's data arriving at its intended destination changes. For example, if a patient being monitored for potentially life threatening arrhythmias begins to decline in health while being monitored on a less reliable wireless system, the wireless monitor switches to a more reliable wireless system to ensure delivery of critical patient data. Allowing a patient monitor to switch between wireless infrastructures based on patient acuity limits the number of users operating on the higher cost wireless infrastructure.

Abstract: A processor and a system for automated provisioning of one or more wireless devices are provided. The processor includes one or more processing subsystems communicably coupled to a guest network. The one or more processing subsystems receive one or more input data signals corresponding to a service request from the wireless devices to connect to a secured backend network. The input data signals include a plurality of service connection parameters associated with the wireless devices. The service connection parameters are then authenticated with pre-stored data. Thereafter the input data signals are processed upon authentication to establish a secured communication link with the wireless devices. Subsequently a plurality of output signals corresponding to the service request to the wireless devices for automated provisioning to establish a connection with the secured backend network.

Abstract: A node is configured for transmitting a data packet over a wireless network according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services code parameter and also to provide individualized control over a payload in the data packet. The controller is also configured to receive data to be transmitted over the wireless network, assign a priority level to the data, and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level. The controller is also configured to determine a signal quality indicator for the wireless network, and to adjust the amount of the data included in the payload based on the signal quality indicator.

Abstract: A node is configured for transmitting a data packet over a wireless network. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of a payload in the data packet. The controller is further configured to receive data to be transmitted over the wireless network, to determine a signal quality indicator for the wireless network, and to adjust the amount of the data included in the payload based on the signal quality indicator.

Abstract: A node is configured for wireless communication with an access point according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services control parameter setting corresponding to the node. The controller is further configured to receive data, assign a priority level to the data, and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level.

Abstract: A node is configured for transmitting a data packet over a wireless network according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services code parameter and also to provide individualized control over a payload in the data packet. The controller is also configured to receive data to be transmitted over the wireless network, assign a priority level to the data, and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level. The controller is also configured to determine a signal quality indicator for the wireless network, and to adjust the amount of the data included in the payload based on the signal quality indicator.

Abstract: A node is configured for wireless communication with an access point according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services control parameter setting corresponding to the node. The controller is further configured to receive data, assign a priority level to the data and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level.