METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE SECURE IDENTIFICATION OF INFANTS AND PARENTS IN HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS

摘要

A parent-infant identification system includes a matched set of two adult bracelets (10, 12) and one infant bracelet (14) each bearing matching visual indicia (10a, 12a, 14a) and an electronically readable data button (10b, 12b, 14b) and a data button reading apparatus (16). The matching visual indicia preferably includes a color code. The electronically readable data in each data button includes data (20, 22) which identifies whether the button is attached to a parent bracelet or an infant bracelet. The data button on the infant bracelet contains matching data (28, 30) for matching the infant bracelet with the parent bracelets and the matching data is encrypted. The data buttons on the parent bracelets each includes the matching data (26) for matching them with the infant bracelet data button as well as password data (24) needed for reading the encrypted data on the infant data button.