STATag©

FAQ:

Q: What is STATag?

A: STATag is an electronic adhesive device about the size of a post-it that can be easily attached to any device that needs to be monitored for inventory purposes.

Q: What can I use the Electronic Inventory System for?

A: The Electronic Inventory System is suitable for any items in large quantities that need to be accounted for. Items such as hospital equipment can be tracked and located to maximize staff efficiency.

Q: In situations where tracked items are dispersed, how are individual tags prevented from going out of range to communicate with other tags?

A: a)Since the tags have a range of up to 30 meters (approx. 100 feet), this would not be an issue in most office environments.
b)If areas are found which may have a tag density that is too sparse for normal communications, additional tags can be implemented to act as repeaters to extend the network converage area.

Q: How are the tags powered? Would this be a sound investment if I simply have to keep relacing power to the tags on a regular basis?

A: The tag will be powered by Lithium coin cells and should have a battery life of approximatly 5 years. The tag will also monitor battery power and alert the system administrator to replace the battery when it is necessary. Special tags (for possible repeaters or tags for stationary equipment) can be built to run from external power.

Q: Are the tags tamper resistant?

A: A contact switch on the underside of the tag would detect removal of the tag and send an alert to administrators.

Q: Where can I learn more about the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.

A: Information for IEEE 802.15.4 can be found here. If this link is outdated, you can search on http://www.ieee.org.

Q: What happens if tagged equipment is carried out of range?

A. Each tag can be configured with unique alarm modules to act accordingly dependant on it's alarm charachteristics. Examples could contain the following:

• Some equipment, such as wheelchairs, may go beyond the range of the network. Should this occur, the equipment would be logged upon departure from the network and logged again upon return.
• For items that should not leave the building or general area, that item would be assigned to a region. This region is preconfigured to be smaller the the network range, such as a region that is limited to a first floor of a building. Although this region stops at the exit door, the network extends past the building walls. Therefore, if the tagged equipment is taken past the door, it has time to report the fact before losing network connectivity. Upon leaving a region, the tag will send alerts to a security department. These alerts can be tied to local alarms at the door to alert local personnel as well as triggering video equipment to capture the departure.