JP2002525984A - Television control system for general-purpose control of hospital television - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A television control system for controlling various models of hospital television includes an input device (12) for receiving input from a person and a controller (16) for interfacing with the hospital television. The controller (16) generates a control signal cluster (80, 201) reflecting the input, the cluster (80, 201) comprising a plurality of sequentially generated individual functions for individual operating functions of a plurality of different models of hospital television. Including control signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(Related Application) The present invention relates to a “television control system that performs general-purpose control of a hospital television”
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 853,53, filed May 9, 1997, and
No. 2 is a continuation-in-part application, the above-mentioned U.S. patent application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to interface devices for hospitals, and more particularly, to interface devices for controlling television in hospital rooms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Televisions (TVs) manufactured for use in healthcare facilities, such as hospital rooms, are specifically designed for use in such environments. Heretofore, such televisions have been designed to meet certain security and management requirements. However, such hospital TV controls always use a controller (hosp) on the hospital bed rail.
ital, bed, rail, control) or a pillow speaker (pi
Patients have been exposed to irregular control criteria, such as operating a TV, from a low speaker. The phrase "pillow speaker" is a device coupled to a hospital bed that provides an acoustic speaker and volume control for the television along with nurse contact, light control and other features. Pointing to. The pillow speaker is generally used for the bed or wall interface.
It is an independent unit that is connected to the plug by an electric cord.

[0004] Although basic hospital vision is available with available hospital TVs and their associated controls, there are some significant problems. In the past, the controls for hospital TVs were strictly limited and generally consisted of a single button control that turned the television on and off and changed channels. To raise or lower the volume on your television,
A separate volume control button is used. For example, such a TV is turned on by pressing the TV button. Thereafter, each time the TV button is pressed, the channel is changed to the next available viewing channel. When all available channels are displayed in order, the television is turned off. When the TV button is pressed again, the television is turned on, and preparation for UP movement over each channel is made. The above TV
The patient or other person controlling the
Only proceed to y). If the patient has passed the desired channel, the user makes all subsequent channel selections, turns off the TV and then turns on the TV. I have to do it. The patient also cannot turn off the TV on the selected channel and later cannot turn on the TV on that channel. Since TV always returns to ON on the same channel,
The patient must search again for previously viewed channels.

[0005] Such a situation is not only disappointing and wasting the patient's time, but can also unduly and inappropriately exacerbate patients who may not be in optimal health. Such a controller may be at least sufficient when there are only a few channels available,
Modern TV technology requires more control to access a number of additional channels and to operate advanced settings for TV mechanisms and features. For example, it may be desirable to turn the television on and off and have the television stay on the last selected channel. Additionally, an optional UP is provided for each available channel.
It is desirable to move or DOWN. And furthermore, it is desirable to access a number of other TV functions, such as display menus or channel viewing guides. Hospital TVs, referred to as newly available code-driven TVs, can be functionally controlled as desired above and as discussed above. However, current control technology for hospital TVs usually uses hospital T
V can only provide the limited control previously available in the V
Often, the benefits of V technology cannot be fully utilized.

Another major disadvantage of the available hospital TV control techniques is that each of the bed and the bedside loudspeaker coupled to the bed must be configured to control a particular brand / model of hospital TV. is there. There are currently at least three major manufacturers of hospital TVs. In order to control a particular TV brand / model from the hospital bed and bedside speaker, the hospital bed and bedside speaker must be specially manufactured and configured for that TV model.

[0007] A hospital or other health care facility must therefore know which bed is going to have which TV model, and the bed manufacturer will adapt the bed operation to that particular TV model. You have to build it. In many cases, such construction will need to be performed on site, which further increases the manufacturing costs associated with the bed. Also, after the bed and the TV are installed, a bed cannot be moved to a room with a TV model different from the TV model manufactured and built for the bed itself. Otherwise, the TV cannot be controlled from the bed. As can be appreciated, this presents a considerable problem in hospital work planning when setting up hospital rooms. This further entails delays in the implementation of the bed in the hospital room, because if the bed and TV are not linked, the hospital will have to use another bed or another T
This is because a V model must be prepared or the bed should be reset for a specific TV model that is available.

[0008] The current situation of hospital TV control is also unsuitable for hospital bed manufacturing. Manufacturers must stock different beds or make or adapt each bed specifically to customer TV requirements. Such modifications are often made on site by bed manufacturers. This is not only costly in terms of increased inventory costs and post-manufacturing refurbishments, but also causes other problems with the processing performed by the manufacturer's customer service department.

In addition, the above problems and disadvantages arise not only when a new hospital room is set up, but also when the bed or the TV or both become malfunctioning. Changing beds or TVs cannot simply be done from another hospital room unless the hospital has a single type of bed and a single model of television.

[0010] Any solution to the above deficiencies in current TV control technology will not only take into account the new hospital code driven TV, but also the hospital will decide to malfunction or upgrade to a new TV Old T that remains in a specific hospital until the situation
It must also be compatible with V. In view of increasing health costs, the former situation can occur before the latter.

[0011] Usually, for certain hospital TVs, a radio function is also available. Until now,
Bed rail and bedside speakers typically had a separate single button, a RADIO controller that turned the radio on and off and changed the radio channel. Furthermore, radio control was limited as well as TV control. Therefore, the old style T
V-model or new code-driven mode
Regardless of l), any suitable solution to the shortcomings of current TV control technology must also be available with the radio functions available on television.

One solution to the above problem in the prior art is discussed in the above-referenced US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 853,532, which describes television control for general control of hospital television. System is provided,
It addresses the problems with different TV models from different manufacturers, as well as the situation where hospitals have older and newer televisions. Specifically, the television control system utilizes different modes of operation to adapt the system to different situations. For example, the system of the above invention may be adapted to hospitals having both old and new TVs, hospitals having only new TVs, and / or hospitals having only old TVs. The system may further address with mode selection many other situations that may occur in a hospital. While such a mode selection is desirable and the system of the invention addresses the prior art problems, the system requires proper switch selection to the desired mode upon installation.
Thus, proper switch selection requires personnel who know which TV is being used in a particular room or in a particular hospital or medical facility. Such a decision may delay the installation process.

[0013] Further, the above-described system, in one embodiment, relies on patient operation of various input buttons to switch between lower modes. It has been found that such a mode selection process can in fact lead to accidental control selection for older TVs when control of a newer TV is desired, and vice versa. Such a mode selection expects all users to intuitively operate the system in the same manner. In a worse situation, the various lower modes of the system may be accidentally and inadvertently changed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to address the shortcomings in the control situation of available hospital TVs and to provide an excellent TV control system for medical and health facilities such as hospitals.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a T
V control system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bed-only TV control unit and a bed that can be moved between different areas in a hospital without depending on the model of the TV with which the bed is interfaced. is there.

Another object of the present invention is to provide easy access to additional channels and current TV
It is to provide the extensibility of in-hospital TV control functions to address the additional functions available in the technology.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide enhanced control for new hospital TVs while maintaining compatibility with existing TVs that exist in various hospitals.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the existing inventive control system which addresses the above objects, as well as manual switching or patient switching to operate various old and new TVs with said system. In particular to reduce or eliminate control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide appropriate radio control within the TV control system. These and other objects will be more readily apparent from the following summary of the invention, a brief description of the drawings, and the detailed description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention addresses the above deficiencies in the prior art and achieves the above and other objects by providing a TV control system that universally controls various hospital TV models. I do. As such, the bed or bedside speaker to which the present invention is applied can be used with a number of different hospital TVs from various manufacturers without having to be specifically designed or configured for a particular TV model. It can be used with any of the models. The television control system allows a bed or bedside speaker to be moved between areas within a hospital without depending on the TV model with which it is to be interfaced. The above system of the present invention further provides enhanced functionality for controlling a hospital TV while maintaining compatibility with older TVs and providing proper radio control of the radio functions available on a particular TV model. . The present invention alleviates business planning issues between hospitals and bed manufacturers when ordering, manufacturing and installing hospital beds by providing universal control of various TV models. The present invention further provides hospitals with great flexibility in moving and replacing hospital beds and hospital TVs. Manufacturers do not need to have a large amount of different beds in stock set for a particular TV model, so inventory costs and post-production associated with modifying or setting up beds on site for particular TV controls. Cost is reduced. The present invention further provides the patient with great flexibility in controlling the TV and eliminates the disadvantages and problems associated with prior art hospital TV systems.

To this end, the TV control system of the present invention comprises an input device operable to interface with a person and receive an input, the input device being operable to generate an input signal corresponding to the input. . The input device may be in the form of a button or switch on the side rail of the hospital bed, or may be incorporated into a control button or switch of a pillow speaker coupled to the bed. For a patient the input device is essentially a hospital TV and possibly the hospital TV
Displays the control types available for the radio system combined with. The system further comprises a controller configured to interface with the hospital TV. The controller is operable to generate the control signals required to operate various hospital TV models. The controller may not only provide control signals for new code-driven TVs, but may still control older TVs in existing hospital facilities. The controller is operatively coupled to the input device to receive one of a plurality of available input signals, such as an input from a patient, for turning a television on or off or changing channels.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the controller is operable to generate a set of control signals reflecting input signals for controlling the TV as desired by the patient. The control signals include a plurality of individual control signals generated sequentially and transmitted sequentially. Each of the control signals corresponds to a specific operating function for a plurality of different hospital TV models. Thus, the sequentially generated control signals of each group of signals reflect the operational function desired by the patient.

For example, when the patient presses the TV ON button, the controller of the system of the present invention generates a control signal group having a plurality of ON commands which are sequentially generated. For each TV of a plurality of different hospital TV models that can be coupled to the system. That is, if the system is set up to control television models A, B, and C from each manufacturer, the system of the present invention can be used to turn on a TV, model A, model B
And a control signal group including an ON signal for the model C. The ON signals generated sequentially progress in order. If a bed equipped with the above system of the present invention is connected to a Model B TV, the TV will simply ignore the ON control signals for Model A and Model C and turn on the TV itself to turn on the Model B signal. Respond to Since the control signal group includes control signals sequentially generated for a plurality of different hospital TV models, the bed and the control system of the present invention use the model A
And the control system can also properly operate the model without resetting the control system, as well as moving to a room with a different TV model, such as a TV set.

Preferably, the particular input signal generates a control signal group, said control signal group corresponding to the same operating function for each TV model with which the system can be interfaced.
For example, according to an ON input from a patient, a signal group including only ON signals for each TV is generated. However, in accordance with another principle of the present invention, the group of signals may include individual control signals for various operating functions. For example, for one TV model, the set of signals may include control signals from a TV that provide a radio function while other TV models
For the model, within the same group of signals, the control signal may provide a channel guide by indicating the available viewing channels by activating the TV. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other functions may be included in the signal group depending on the operating functions of the available TV models.

In one embodiment of the invention, an input is provided to turn on / off the television, to move the viewing channel up, and to move the viewing channel down, while the other button is TV. It corresponds to the SELECT or RADIO function of the model. ON / OFF, UP and DOWN are basic functions that most patients use when operating a hospital television. However, the input device may provide appropriate switches or buttons to access these additional functions, as other operational functions may be utilized.

[0027] The present invention is capable of operating a new code-driven TV, as well as an old command-
Older TVs may also work under the protocol. To this end, one embodiment of the present invention operates in a variety of different modes depending on the old TV, the new cord-driven TV, or a combination of the two encountered by the bed to which the control system of the present invention is applied. . To this end, the invention comprises a mode switch coupled to the main processor of the system to determine the selected mode. The mode switch can be used to set the system to a specific mode depending on installation parameters and available TV.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mode switch and various selectable modes are eliminated. In an alternative embodiment, the invention takes advantage of the backward compatibility of the new TV, which is compatible with the old command protocol, so that the new TV can be installed in hospitals where only the old command protocol is available. To this end, the control signals generated in accordance with the principles of the present invention may include command signals for older protocols as well as new control signals for new TVs. In particular, the signals initially contain control signals for the new TV, but if the TV does not respond, a data stream to activate the old TV is added to the signals. As such, older TVs are treated essentially as if they were TVs from another manufacturer. Further, there is no need for mode switching or mode selection by either the installer or the patient utilizing the system of the present invention. In such an alternative embodiment, the backward compatibility of the new TV is also taken into account.
Selected functions, such as P functions, are always created under the old command protocol. All TVs recognize certain function control signals, such as CHANNEL UP control signals, based on the old command protocol. Preferably, according to such an alternative embodiment, if a particular input is repeatedly activated, the control signals are repeated at regular intervals and the individual control signals are appropriately applied at predetermined time delay intervals. From being separated,
The correlation function can occur at a similar rate. For example, since the CHANNEL UP control signal and the CHANNEL DOWN control signal are repeated at the same interval, each channel can be scrolled UP and DOWN at substantially the same speed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller generates the control signal group using a plurality of relays. Each relay is coupled to the system processor and each relay is opened and closed as directed by the processor to form a series or series of spaced pulses that are used to control specific TV models. Configure the signal. With the selective operation of each relay, each control signal and group of control signals are generated as needed to operate a hospital TV. Because the relays are also bidirectional, they are not affected by polarity errors that can occur during installation of the system. The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following brief description of the drawings and the detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system used in a hospital or other health facility to implement the general-purpose television control system of the present invention. The system 10 shown in FIG. 1 provides the necessary interface between the patient, the bed, the control system and the TV. The system 10 implements a plurality of user inputs 12, preferably provided by a bed rail circuit of a hospital bed or a pillow speaker circuit. In hospital beds and bedside speakers currently available to include a TV control system, each control button operates a bed, operates a television, calls a nurse or other attendant, and uses a hospital bed. May be used to perform various other functions related to. The input devices are traditionally bed rails and bedside speakers, but other input devices may be used.

To prevent electrical shock and other dangers to patients and other users by isolating the system controller 16 from user input devices, and to protect the control circuit, a transient current protection circuit 14 is utilized. . The controller 16, discussed in further detail below, includes a processor 36, which controls the bi-directional interface and ultimately controls the hospital TV in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Providing the required signals in the form of streams; The controller 16 is preferably coupled to a suitable power / regulator circuit 20, such as power from a hospital bed. The system 10 also preferably includes an auxiliary power source 22, such as a battery, when a standard power source is not available. The coded data stream signal 18 activates a bi-directional interface circuit 24 that provides a suitable operative coupling between the TV and the processor 36 of the controller 16.
A transient current prevention circuit 26 is also preferably arranged between the bidirectional interface circuit 24 and the TV. In this way, a series of isolated TV control output signals 28 are provided to the TV. Thus, the circuitry of the controller 16 of the system 10 is electrically isolated from both the TV and the user input device to protect the controller 16 circuitry.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for the controller 16 of the system 10 shown in FIG. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a patient or other person controls a variety of different TV models using input buttons, switches or other devices on a hospital bed rail, bedside speaker or similar input device. I can do it. Throughout this application, the phrase "model" used in referring to the various types of hospital TV available is referred to as various models made by various manufacturers, such as RCA / GE, Zenith and Magnavox / Philips. Branded hospital TVs and different types of models available from any manufacturer and may require different control protocols.

The controller 16 to control a hospital TV in accordance with the principles of the present invention may receive user input from an existing TV control circuit on the hospital bed 30 or from another input device 32 such as a bedside speaker. An input signal 12 is provided. For example, user input can be operation of a button, switch, or other device on a bed or bedside speaker. The TV control input circuit of the bed is generally used as usual (
It is located on the left and right side rails available on the bed (not shown). However, the TV
It is understood that other locations on the bed may be appropriate for the control input circuit. The input circuit preferably includes a predetermined number of input buttons / switches 34 shown on the pillow speaker 32 and capable of being pressed or activated by the patient. It is also customary to place the TV control button on the pillow speaker. The pillow speaker 32 and the hospital bed 30 can be used mutually exclusively for TV control, but as shown in FIG. Inputs from the various devices can be operatively interconnected. The various user inputs available preferably generate an input signal. FIG. 2 shows the four input lines that make up the user input signal 12. However, depending on the number of input buttons / switches 34 utilized with the bed or bedside speaker and the desired control of the TV, fewer or more inputs, input signals and appropriate lines may be provided.

The controller 16 further preferably includes a Microch, Chandra, Arizona.
The processor 36 is an integrated circuit microprocessor, such as a model number PIC 16C84 available from IP. Alternatively, processor 36 may include a programmable logic array (PLA) specially constructed for use in controller 16 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Processor 36 is operatively coupled to input devices 30, 32 for receiving input signal 12 corresponding to input button / switch 34 accessed by the patient. The processor reads the user input signal 12 and, depending on the mode of operation of the processor, which will be discussed further below, the processor 36 outputs a signal 38 (coded data stream 1 from FIG. 1).
8), but the output signal 38 is ultimately used to generate the output signal or control signal 28 necessary to control the hospital TV 40 coupled to the system 10 of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor 36 includes a plurality of relays 42a, 42
b, 42c. Each relay is
It is used to generate a TV control signal 28. Three relays are shown and discussed herein; however, those skilled in the art will also utilize various numbers of relays depending on the number of control signals 28 desired to control the hospital TV 40. It will be appreciated. Thus, the system is scalable for both user input and output control signals. A suitable relay is the solid state relay HP HSSR 8400 available from Hewlett-Packard.

In one embodiment, processor 36 is also coupled to a mode switch 44 that controls the mode of operation of the processor. Mode switch 44 may be a DIP switch with a plurality of individual switches to provide a plurality of different switch states or signals. For example, the mode switch 44 shown in FIG. 2 can provide a predetermined number of binary state or mode signals 46 to the processor 36 because it has four individual switches 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d. As shown in FIG. 2, three mode signals 46 (from switches 44b, 44c and 44d) are connected directly to processor 36, while the other mode signals or outputs from mode switch 44a are two. Used to interconnect the control signal lines.
Again, it is understood that mode switch 44 may initiate more than 16 modes in controller 16 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Also, as discussed below, in other embodiments of the present invention, a mode switch may not be necessary.

The processor 36 and the output signal 38 and the respective relays 42 a, 42 b, 42
Between c, relay support circuits 48a, 48b and 48c are connected. The support circuit provides a high drive current to each of the relays to generate a TV control signal. That is, each of the above relays generates the actual control signal 28 for the TV under the command and action of the processor 36 and output signal 38. Preferably, relays 42a, 42b and 42c are optical relays that provide light interruption between control signal 28 and processor 36 and input circuits 30,32. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the relay 42a is mainly used for the TV function of the TV 40. Relays 42b and 42c are used for radio functions associated with TV 40.

More specifically, the output line 42a labeled TV + and TV- is a TV4
0 is used to transmit the appropriate control signal, so it is properly linked to the TV. Since relays 42a, 42b and 42c do not depend on polarity,
Provide a bidirectional interface 24 for the controller 16. The TV 40 may be generally coupled to the controller 16 via a suitable wall interface 50. In the conventional system, it was necessary to ensure that the polarity of the TV line 52 connected between the TV 40 and the wall interface 50 was appropriate, since the control lines TV + and TV + on the other side of the interface 50 were required. This is because TV- depends on the polarity. However, since relays 42a simply connect or disconnect lines TV + and TV- in a controlled manner and transmit the appropriate control signal 28, the lines are bidirectionally coupled and the polarity of each line 52 is controlled. Are interchangeable and the system 10 of the present invention still operates properly. Because of this, it is easy to connect
Significant advantages are provided over prior systems which were more likely to hinder proper operation of the system.

Depending on the mode of operation, relays 42b and 42c may be radio control signals for a wired radio or a fixed hardwired T as provided by Zenith.
Used to provide channel UP and DOWN signals for the V model. Again, mode switch 44 selects various modes of operation of processor 36, and additional relays may be added to the system of the present invention to address the need for additional TV control signals.

The system works for various hospital TV models, including but not limited to the following: That is, RCAJ250520, 20 inch TV and GE20GH550,
Thomson Consumum, including 0-inch TVs and recent hospital models
RCA and GE televisions currently manufactured by er Electronics; Magnavox KJ92-20P, 20-inch TV and Philips.
-Nort, such as the HC9520C, 20-inch TV and recent hospital models
Magnav currently manufactured by h American Philips
ox and Philips TV; and Zenith Sales Inc., such as the Zenith H2057DT, 20-inch and recent hospital models. And Zenith TV manufactured by the company.

The system is also suitable for future code-driven hospital-grade TVs, and also works with older TVs currently used by traditional TV control protocols. Let me know.

Since the new hospital TV is code driven, it operates according to a plurality of different control codes transmitted to the TV. Older TVs are generally not code driven. To operate one of a number of code-driven TVs, the controller 16 includes a control signal group consisting of a plurality of control signals in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
l.cluster). More specifically, the control signal group is a hospital TV
A plurality of individual control signals sequentially generated to correspond to specific operational functions of the plurality of different models. Each control signal is sequentially transmitted to the TV. Thus, the system of the present invention automatically activates any one of a variety of different models of hospital TV in response to patient input. In a further alternative embodiment, a single group of control signals can activate both a new TV and an old TV.

The control signals preferably include specific control signals for each of the TV models that may be used with the present invention, or alternatively may include control signals for older TVs.
The specific TV model interfaced with the hospital bed or the bedside speaker receives the above control signal group and, at the same time, receives the specific TV model or the specific old style TV.
Recognize and use the specific control signal of the signal group for operating the V or the new TV. Within the group of signals, other control signals not intended for the specific model old / new TV in the room are essentially ignored. Since the control signals are generated very quickly by the controller 16, there is almost no delay in operating a specific TV. That is, there is preferably little delay between the individual control signals of the signal group. The above system of the present invention can be very easily moved between various hospital TV models and does not require reconfiguration or modification to operate different TV models. In this way, if the bed for the TV malfunctions, another bed utilizing the system of the present invention can be replaced with the malfunctioning bed, or alternatively, the specific TV model and Another TV can be installed without questioning the compatibility of the specific TV model with the bed. This allows
The time required to plan and maintain the room is significantly saved, and the traditional business planning issues of placing beds and TVs in the room so that compatibility is maintained are reduced. Moreover, the hospital does not need to use one particular TV model or one particular bed, as long as all beds used incorporate the system of the present invention.

For an understanding of the invention, examples of the operation of the system and various selectable modes in one embodiment of the invention will be useful. The mode of operation of the controller 16 is determined by the processor 36 and, in one embodiment, by a mode switch 44 coupled to the processor. The mode switch 44 is preferably a DIP switch, but according to the DIP switch, the controller 1
The six settings can quickly adapt the operating mode of the system to a particular hospital environment. For example, if a hospital has both an old TV and a new code-driven TV, a predetermined mode is selected, but if the hospital has only an old TV or only a new code-driven TV, another mode is selected. Is selected. The mode selected may also depend on the type of radio function available. The mode switch thus provides a predetermined degree of programmability so that the user can program the selected mode of operation. Of course, other programming devices may be used in selecting the above mode of operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the processor 36 of the controller 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the hospital bed 30, bedside speaker 32, or any other available power source 20, 22 is energized, the processor is powered and the controller 16 is properly set to reset mode (step 6).
0). The processor then determines the selected mode of operation by reading the mode switch 44 (line 46) (step 61). The processor then returns or returns to the last lower mode of operation in the selected mode (
Step 62) generally corresponds to the particular hospital situation, such as the model of the TV being controlled. Some of each mode of operation have some sub-modes that can be used, such as mode of operation 1 discussed below. Thus, if one of these modes of operation is selected, the processor contemplates returning to the appropriate lower mode of operation. Therefore, processor 36 preferably
It is set to store the current lower mode of operation and to restore the lower mode for future operation even if power is removed.

Next, the processor 36 defines an input switch depending on the selected mode of operation (step 64). That is, each of the input buttons / switches 34 or other input devices from the hospital bed 30 or the bedside speaker 32 is
6, various operating functions of the TV 40 may be started. Next, the mode switch is read again (step 65) to determine if the switch has been changed since the start-up of the system. If the switch has been changed, a new mode is required and a new input switch must be defined (67). Processor 36 then determines whether the patient is attempting to control TV 40 by polling the input devices (step 66) and reading respective input signals 12. If a user input is active (step 68), such as by pressing a button from various input devices and / or closing a switch, the processor 36 responds accordingly. If no user input is active, the processor simply repolls or rereads each user input until one of the user inputs becomes active, as shown in the flow chart loop of FIG. The processor also polls the mode switch to detect mode changes. If the user input is active, the processor 36 determines whether a change to another lower mode is intended within the current mode of operation (step 70). In at least one mode of operation of the present invention, a plurality of lower modes are available for controlling the TV 40. For example, one mode of operation may provide control for both the old TV and the new cord-driven TV, one sub-mode of which is dedicated to the old TV and the other sub-mode is dedicated to the new cord-driven TV. It is. Thus, in response to user input 12, the processor can be automatically changed from one lower mode to another depending on the TV model to be controlled (steps 74, 76).

If a user input is active but no change in operating mode or lower mode is requested, the processor will control the appropriate control signals 28 for controlling the TV.
Is generated (step 72). As will be discussed further below, each control signal of the individually and sequentially generated control signal group corresponds to a particular operating function for a variety of hospital TV models. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, some of the specific input signals produce control signals having individual TV control signals, but all of these TV control signals are essentially the same or very different for different TV models. Related to similar operating functions. For example, a TV ON input signal from a patient can be used for various TV
A control signal group including a plurality of different ON control signals for turning on the model is generated. The actual TV 40 coupled to the system of the present invention will encounter multiple ON signals, but will only respond to those ON signals that the TV 40 itself recognizes.

If the processor 36 determines that the user has changed the operating mode to a different lower mode, the processor determines the different operating mode or lower mode (step 74) and stores the operating mode or lower mode. (Step 76). As a result and as shown in FIG. 3, a new switch input to the input device is defined (step 64). In one embodiment of the invention, the mode change or lower mode change provided by controller 16 is transparent to the user. For example, if the processor is in a lower mode for a new television while the processor is currently in an operating mode capable of operating both a newer television and an older television, the processor 36 may be in a lower mode to control the older TV. I have to switch. That is, the controller 16 generates a control signal group for turning on the new TV, for example, in response to the TV ON input from the patient. However, since the old style TV does not turn on,
It is common to extend the ON signal temporally by keeping the button pressed.
Then, the processor 36 reads the ON signal extended in time and switches the lower mode to the lower mode for the old TV, at which point the old TV is turned on.

(Operation Mode 1) Returning to the various operation modes of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
4 shows a simulated timing sequence for a group of control signals simulated with respect to FIG. The actual control signals of the above signal group are obtained from the simulated illustrated signals by pulse width, pulse number,
And may vary with respect to the interval between each pulse. Although FIG. 4 shows four input buttons from an input device, additional input buttons or switches may be added as appropriate to extend the system of the present invention, as discussed above. Further, FIG.
Although a group of control signals is disclosed having control signals for the TV models denoted as gnabox / Philips, RCA / GE and Zenith, other manufacturers' codes may be utilized within the control signals where appropriate. . For example, Mag
navox is listed with Philips and RCA is listed with GE, because hospital TV models with these brand names share similar control signals. For example, RCA brand TV and GE brand share similar control signaling protocols.

Each input button on the left side of FIG. 4 turns the TV ON and OFF, moves the channel UP, moves the channel DOWN, and accesses the radio function or selects other certain operation functions of the TV. In order to do this, ON / OFF, CH / UP,
CH.DOWN and SELECT / MUSIC. When the processor 36 is in the operating mode 1 and the lower mode A when the ON / OFF switch or the button 34 on the hospital bed 30, the bedside speaker 32 or other input device is pressed, the controller 16 controls the TV 40. The control signal group 80 is transmitted. The control signal group 80 includes TV ON / OFF signals for each of Magnabox / Philips, RCA / GE, and Zenith. Since the TV model connected to the controller 16 encounters the TV ON / OFF control signal of the above signal group, it responds accordingly when receiving an appropriate control signal for the TV model. The remaining control signals in the signal group are ignored.

As shown in FIG. 4, each control signal is a series of spaced or trained pulses. For this purpose, the controller 16 provides a relay control signal 38 for opening and closing the relay 42a, thereby generating a selected pulse train and constructing the control signal group. Preferably, according to the simulated control pulses, there is little delay between the individual control signals of each signal group as shown in FIG. Each time the ON / OFF button is pressed, the signal group 80 is transmitted. If the CH.UP button is pressed, the controller generates a signal group 82 including a CHANNEL.UP signal that is sequentially generated to move up the channels of various TV models. Similarly, if C
If the H DOWN button is pressed, control signals 84 include the appropriate CHANNEL DOWN signal to DOWN the channels of each available TV model. Both control signals 82 and 84 are also generated using relay 42a. Each time the CH UP button or CH DOWN button is pressed, a channel change is performed. Further, if any button is kept pressed, the appropriate signal group 8
2 and 84 are repeated to change the channel.

If the SELECT / MUSIC button is pressed, the generated control signals 86 include control signals for different operating functions depending on the TV model. For example, for a Magnavox / Philips TV, signal group 86 includes control signals that select a particular function of the TV, such as a channel guide or other available operating functions, while signal group 86 includes an RCA / GE code driven TV. And Zenith
The radio such as the FM radio is turned on for the TV set. When the radio is turned on, the CH UP and CH DOWN buttons are used to change the available channels for a code-driven TV with radio function. If the radio is already on, then pressing the SELECT / MUSIC button will turn the radio off. Signal group 86 is also generated via relay 42a.

To turn off the television after it has been turned on, the patient touches the ON / OFF button and a cluster 80 is created. Generally, in a hospital TV driven by a code, the ON code and the OFF code are the same. Therefore, the ON signal is the same as the OFF signal. The time between each individual control signal of a cluster should be short so that the patient cannot wait for a considerable amount of time to control the TV each time he presses the enter button. Is preferred. The buttons are designated according to the most frequently used specific operation functions of the TV. However, due to the scalability of the system of the present invention, it may be necessary to add new buttons. In addition, buttons such as the CH UP button generate a cluster of CHANNEL UP signals and emit the same signal for each TV model, but some TVs have a radio but other TVs have other options, e.g. There are also buttons that generate mixed control signals for different operating functions, such as a SELECT / MUSIC button to select a guide. The actual user input buttons are ON / OFF, CH, depending on the options available on the TV and to avoid patient confusion.
-Marks can be displayed by designation other than UP, CH / DOWN, etc. For example, if a TV can only operate the radio function with the SELECT / MUSIC button, that button can be simply designated as MUSIC.

The control signal clusters 80, 82, 84, and 86 are generated in the lower mode A of the operation mode 1 and are directed to a new, code-driven TV.
However, operation mode 1 also allows the system of the present invention to operate older TVs.
Older TVs can essentially be controlled with a single button, press it to turn on the TV, move up the channels sequentially, and when you pass the last channel you see, the TV
Can be turned off. Referring to the lower mode B in FIG.
V is operated. However, to operate an old TV, the controller must be in lower mode B. In one embodiment of the present invention, according to step 70 of FIG.
The controller can be switched to lower mode B by pressing down and holding for -8 seconds. The length of time the ON / OFF button is depressed and held prevents the patient from inadvertently entering lower mode B when depressing the ON / OFF button in an attempt to operate the cord drive TV. It's not particularly demanding except that it's desirable. It has been determined that a 7-8 second delay may be appropriate to prevent inadvertent switching between lower modes. The processor is
Upon sensing that the ON / OFF button has been depressed for 7-8 seconds, the mode is switched to lower mode B, and the ON / OFF button is turned on by the relay 42 as shown in FIG.
A signal for turning on the old TV is generated through a. Since the signal for turning on the television, changing the channel sequentially and turning off the television is essentially the same signal, when the CH / UP button is depressed, the controller 16
Generates a similar signal through the relay 42a. The signal that turns the old TV on and off and changes channels sequentially is essentially generated by opening and closing the relay, producing a continuous signal rather than a pulse code, but the nomenclature of the present invention uses this convention. The signal, like the pulse code of the newer code-driven TV,
Once the processor 36 has entered lower mode B, the processor remains in that lower mode, so that a subsequent depression of the ON / OFF button will turn on the television without having to last 7-8 seconds. This lower mode is preferably stored by the processor (step 76, FIG. 3).
.

In the lower mode B, once the television is turned on, the channel is sequentially shifted upward by pressing the CH.UP button, and the TV is turned off after passing the last channel. The UP button has the same effect as the ON / OFF button. Once the television is turned on, it is turned on / off
The button also changes the channel up until the TV is turned off. When using the ON / OFF button and the CH UP button, the relay 42a is closed as long as the button is pressed to control the TV.

In the lower mode B of the operation mode 1, the SELECT / MUSIC button causes the processor 36 to drive the relays 42b and 42c. These relays remain closed as long as the SELECT / MUSIC button is pressed (see FIG. 4).
In a hospital TV with another radio system, the radio is controlled by the output of relay 42b, designated RL, and the output of relay 42c, designated RR. The common line R- of the two relays 42b and 42c is tied. SEL
When the ECT / MUSIC button is pressed, the radio is turned on, and holding this button causes the radio to cycle through the available listening channels. After the last listening channel, turn off the radio, then select
When the / MUSIC button is pressed, the radio is turned on again. Alternatively, depending on the TV being controlled, it may switch to TV audio after the last radio channel. For older TVs, the radio system is generally independent of the TV, and therefore, the television control relay 42a is replaced by relays 42b and 42c.

In the operation mode 1, the individual switch 44a of the mode switch 44 is open, and a line common to the TV (TV-) and the radio (R-) is connected as in the other operation modes. Absent. Thus, in operation mode 1, the radio associated with the old TV and the new corded TV and radio system can be operated without the need for special programming or bed or pillow speaker configuration, regardless of the TV model available. Three switches 44b, 44c of the mode switch 44,
44d couples with the processor 36 to change the operating mode of the processor. The three switches thus enable eight operating modes in a binary manner. Of course, if desired, a new switch may be added to the mode switch 44 to extend the operation modes available to the processor 36.

In one possible embodiment, to return from lower mode B to lower mode A, use CH
Press the DOWN button and hold for 7-8 seconds to prevent inadvertent return to lower mode A. Alternatively, the lower mode can be switched using the SELECT / MUSIC button. Then, the processor 36 operates the code-driven TV.
Is switched to the lower mode A in which is operated.

(Operation Mode II) In the second operation mode, the system 10 can be operated to control the Zenith 3-wire system TV. In this system, three dedicated lines are used.
One line is used to turn the TV on and off, one line is used to change the channel up, and the other line is used to change the channel down. Can be Operating mode II using switches 44b, 44c and 44d
Is selected, the ON / OFF button drives the relay 1 (closes as long as the button is pressed) and turns the TV ON and OFF. Using the CH UP button causes the processor 36 to activate the relay 42b (close as long as the button is pressed) and change the channel up. Then, the CH DOWN button is pressed by the processor 36.
Drive the relay 42c (close as long as the button is pressed) to change the channel upward. In operation mode II, the SELECT / MUSIC button does not control the TV. Referring to FIG. 2, switch 44a of mode switch 44 must be closed to couple the TV common (TV-) and radio common (R-) together for proper operation.

(Operation Mode III) Some hospitals have only an old TV and another radio system. Therefore, it may be desirable to have the controller operate only on older TVs and this radio system. For this purpose, mode III can be selected with the mode switch 44. In mode III, as shown in FIG. 4 for lower mode B of operation mode I, the ON / OFF button drives relay 1 to turn on the television, move the channel up, and turn the television off.
Change to F. Similarly, the CH / UP button drives the relay 1 like the ON / OFF button to operate the TV. CH DOWN button and SELECT / MUSI
The C button both drives relays 2 and 3 to turn the radio on and off and change channels, as described above for lower mode B of operating mode I.
In the case of a system operating only in mode 3, the input CH DOWN label may be changed so as not to confuse the patient. In the operation mode III, the switch 44a is open.

(Operation Mode IV) In a facility where only a new cord driven TV is used together with another radio system, the mode switch 44 can select the mode IV. Mode IV
Then, the ON / OFF button turns the television ON and OFF through a control signal cluster such as cluster 80 shown in FIG. The CH UP and CH DOWN buttons also generate control signal clusters, such as clusters 82 and 84, respectively. The SELECT / MUSIC button is connected to relays 42b and 4
Drive 2c (close as long as button is pressed). In that way, another radio can be turned on and off and change channels as described for operation mode III. In the operation mode IV, the switch 44a is open. If you want the flexibility to operate a corded TV with radio,
In some TV models, SELECT / M as shown in cluster 86
A Radio ON / OFF code could also be provided on the USIC button.

(Operation Mode V) In the operation mode V, the controller 16 operates with or without a radio.
It is chosen for use in hospitals equipped with only new cord-driven TVs. Therefore, the ON / OFF, CH-UP, and CH-DOWN buttons operate in mode 1
It operates as described in / lower mode A. When the SELECT / MUSIC button is pressed, the controller sends the RCA / GE and Zenith TV to the radio.
・ Send ON / OFF code, and SELECT to Magnabox / Philips
A T signal is sent (cluster 86). However, relays 42b and 42c are not operated because there is no need for a separate radio system.

Operation Mode VI In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a hospital facility may have only one TV model from one manufacturer. In such a case, the controller whose operation mode is particularly suited to the TV model, but also includes other universal TV control capabilities of the present invention in case the hospital acquires another TV model in the future It would be desirable to provide

Accordingly, the mode VI of the processor can generate a control signal cluster having individual control signals and a pulse train directed to only one TV model. For example, some hospitals may only have RCA / GE TVs. Accordingly, when the processor 36 and the controller 16 of the present invention are in mode VI, the controller turns on and off the TV, changes channels, and operates only the RCA / GE to operate the radio function of the corded TV. Generate the appropriate code. For example, O
N / OFF button is TV ON / OF for RCA / GE code drive TV
Generate a cluster with only the F code. As such, the control provided by the system of the present invention is tailored to a particular model, eliminating redundant control signals and / or control functions. Of course, the mode switch can be easily changed.
For example, if it becomes necessary to control another TV model in addition to the first one, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, extend the control capabilities of the system by turning on different combinations of dip switches 44. be able to. The operation of controller 16 is similar to that described above, except that the control signal cluster has only control signals for a particular manufacturer, such as RCA and GE.

(Other Modes) Like the operation mode VI, the system of the present invention also uses other operation modes, and each operation mode includes a certain TV model, for example, a certain Zenith model,
It is intended for the RCA / GE model and / or the Magnavox / Philips model, or a more specific model, for example a specific model of Magnavox or RCA. For example, one hospital may have only one specific Magna
You only need to control the vox model, so you may want a system that works for that Magnavox model. In such an operating mode, the control signal cluster contains only control signals for the selected model TV. That is,
The control signal cluster includes only the Magnavox control signal. In this way, the invention is adaptable to a wide variety of different hospital TV control scenarios and the required control protocols. The quick change of the mode switch 44 allows one to select any of several different modes of operation, depending on the hospital scenario and the particular TV model to be controlled. No additional programming or wiring is required.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mode switch 44 can be omitted while using a hardware configuration generally similar to that shown in FIG. In this separate embodiment, the control signal clusters are not only TVs from different manufacturers,
Individual control signals are taken into account for both new and old TVs.
Therefore, different modes are not required to operate the old TV and the new TV. Of course, the mode switch 44 may be used in some facilities, especially where a wired radio is required, or in certain hard-wired TV models such as CHANNEL.
For UP and CHANNEL DOWN signals, there will still be applications as described above. This embodiment also eliminates the need for the controller to remember the last lower mode state, for example, during a power outage, reducing the complexity of the control and the cost of the overall system.

This alternative embodiment states that the new, cord-driven hospital TV is manufactured with backwards compatibility with control systems for older TVs with on-board single button currently dominating the hospital market. That is taken into account. That is, the new TV can be used in current hospital facilities with only old instruction hardware,
Control signals for older TVs must also be recognized. However, old-style hospital TVs do not recognize new, code-driven TV instructions. New TV and old T
Incorporating V control signals into one cluster generally eliminates the need for mode switch configuration, patient interfacing with mode switches, and storing lower mode information, reducing control system complexity. .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a processor according to this separate embodiment of the present invention. When the system is turned on, the controller 16 is set to the reset mode (step 101). This is the reset and reset in the embodiment described above.
Similar to mode. Next, processor 16 can read a number of configuration switches and determine the interface characteristics of the system. For example, the configuration switch may define a special facility, such as a wired radio system, or, as already mentioned, a system with wired CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN signals. In such a scenario, the configuration switch is
May handle some of the work of the switch. As already mentioned, this alternative embodiment preferably does not require a mode switch, so reading the setting switch (step 102) is optional depending on the hardware configuration. Next, the processor 16 determines the inputs of the various buttons and switches (step 103). The determination of the button input also depends on the setting of the optional setting switches, but they may be fixed wiring. In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5-8, preferably there is no mode switching, so it is necessary to continue reading or re-reading the mode switch to restore the last operating lower mode of the system. There is no.

After powering on the system, the processor 16 examines various button inputs (step 104) and determines whether the user input is active and whether the user is interfacing with the system, ie, if the user is It is determined whether the control button is pressed. If no button input is active, the processor 16 returns to read the optional setting switch, as shown in FIG. 5 (
Step 102) or button input is determined (step 103). Step 10
If the answer to YES at 4 determines that one of the user inputs is active, the processor checks whether the active input is an ON / OFF button input (step 105). If the ON / OFF button input is active, the processor 16 will send a message to the specific TV coupled to the system, for example Magnovo.
Send appropriate ON / OFF control signal clusters to TVs manufactured by x / Philips, RCA / GE, and Zenith. Referring to FIG. 6, this ON / OFF cluster is shown as a cluster 201 in FIG. The individual control signals of the cluster are sent sequentially, one after the other, with a short delay between each other, as described above. Of course, the order of the different manufacturers can be changed. For example, a Zenith control signal can be sent as the first signal in a cluster.

According to one aspect of this separate embodiment of the present invention, the control signal cluster comprises:
It can also include individual control signals for old TVs as well as new code-driven TVs from various manufacturers. Turning to FIG. 5, processor 16 sends cluster 201 to turn the television on or off (step 106).
. Next, the processor 16 continues to monitor the input line and checks whether the ON / OFF button input is still active (step 108), ie, the system moves the user down the button, ie, to the engaged position. It is determined whether or not it is held. If not, the processor 16 returns to steps 102 and 103, as shown in FIG. However, if the ON / OFF button input is still active, processor 16 sends a pulse data stream until the ON / OFF button is released (step 112). FIG.
Referring to FIG. 5, a pulsed data stream 201a is shown, comprising a high period 201b of approximately 600 ms duration and a low period 20b of approximately 20 ms duration.
1c. This pulse data stream 201a is
It can operate to turn on an old TV that does not recognize one other coded control signal. Upon receiving this pulse data stream 201a, the old TV is turned on. In addition, if the ON / OFF button input is still engaged and the data stream is continuously repeated, the TV will start changing channels sequentially. T
Changing the V channel sequentially upwards is the way the old TV now operates when it receives a repeating pulsed data stream 201a. This pulse data stream 201a is repeated as long as the ON / OFF button input is held (step 112). In this way, the control signal cluster 201 can operate both new and old TVs without requiring mode selection by a mode selection switch or a user interface. Thus, the operation of this ON / OFF control is transparent to the user, regardless of the type of TV, old or new, code-driven TV.

When the ON / OFF button input is active, the processor 16 performs various coding of the cluster even if the user releases the ON / OFF button input before sending all the individual control signals. All control signals are sent as is to all applicable TV manufacturers. As such, any new code-driven television will be ON as long as the TV type / model specific control signal is in the cluster 201. If pressing the ON / OFF button has no effect (indicating that an older TV is being used), the user will typically continue to press the ON / OFF button until something happens. When the button input is continued and the input signal generated by the button input continues for a predetermined amount of time after the control signal is sent, a pulse data stream 201a is sent by the controller 16 to turn on or off the old TV. To In this way, data stream 201a is added to cluster 201 as part of the cluster. If a new TV is used and turned on by one of the coded control signals of the cluster 201 and the user continues to press the ON / OFF button for a predetermined time, the pulse
The data stream 201a is sent by the controller and the new model T
V also starts changing channels up. This is because the new code drive T
This is because V has backward compatibility with the control process of the old TV.
That is, the new TV sees this pulsed data stream as a user input followed by a single button input. Therefore, the new TV uses pulse data
Depending on the length of the stream 201a, it runs up the channel at a speed of substantially 620 milliseconds. If the button input is still active even after the TV is turned on, the old TV also runs up the channel. As soon as the ON / OFF button input is no longer active or depressed, the pulse data stream 201a terminates immediately. Thus, whether a new, code-driven TV, or an old, single-button interface TV, responds to ON / OFF button inputs of the present invention. By continuing to press and release the ON / OFF button, the new TV can be turned ON and OFF as desired.

Returning to FIG. 5, if the ON / OFF button input is not active, the processor checks whether the CHANNEL UP button input is active (step 110). If the CHANNEL UP button input is active, the processor 16 sends a signal cluster 202 consisting of a plurality of pulse data streams 202a. Referring to FIG. 6, the pulse data
Stream 202a is similar to pulsed data stream 201a and includes a high period of approximately 600 milliseconds and a low period of 20 milliseconds. As mentioned above, the new TV is made to be backward compatible with the old TV, and the new TV also uses the pulse data stream 202a as the CHANNEL like the old TV.
-Recognize it as an UP control command. As shown in FIG. 5, the old TV turns on and proceeds through the channel in response to the same data stream. Therefore,
Both new and old TVs scroll up the available channels upon receiving cluster 202. Cluster 202 pulse data stream 202
a is essentially continuously repeated as long as the CHANNEL UP button input is active (step 112). The present invention creates an upward scroll through available channels at intervals or speeds of about 600 milliseconds.

If the CHANNEL UP button input is not active, the processor 16 checks whether the CHANNEL DOWN button input is active (step 109). If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is active, the processor 16 sends a cluster 204 containing the various coded control signals of the TV. The coding control signal of cluster 204 is denoted by reference numeral 204a.
Appropriate instructions for new type of TV as shown in (CHANNEL DOWN)
To start. The processor sends all of the individual command signals for all of the different TV models, even if the user releases the CHANNEL DOWN button before all the individual signals have been sent. If user is CHANNEL
Holding the DOWN button, ie holding down the DOWN button will cause a delay period 20 after the code
4b, the length of time being such that the combined control signal 204a and delay 204b is approximately 600 milliseconds. If CHANNEL DOWN
If the button input is kept active, the processor will set the CHANNEL DOWN
The entire command 204c is repeated and continuously sent (step 107). This allows the user to scroll through viewing channels by keeping the CHANNEL DOWN button input active if the TV coupled to the control system is a new type of code-driven TV. Older TVs do not respond to control signal clusters. The 600 milliseconds time created by the individual control signals 204a and the delays 204b can be used to scroll the viewing channel on a new TV, while keeping either button input active and scrolling,
At essentially the same speed in both HANNNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN (
That is, it provides the user with the ability to scroll (in about 600 milliseconds). That is, the user can actively move up or down the channel at the same speed.

If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is not active, the system will:
The code defined for the particular switch that is active can be sent (step 111). As mentioned above, other options for controlling the TV are also available. For example, the system may incorporate a SELECT / MUSIC button input. Referring to FIG. 6, when the SELECT / MUSIC button input is active, the appropriate command SELECT or RA
A control signal cluster 203 composed of DIO ON / OFF is generated. If the old TV is coupled to the control system and the SELECT / MUSIC button input is active, the TV will not respond to the cluster 203. SELECT / MUS
In the case of IC button input, even if the user releases the button before all of the individual code signals of the cluster 203 have been sent, all of the commands for TVs of various manufacturers are sent.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of one embodiment of a control signal cluster and the delay intervals associated with each instruction. Reference numeral 301 represents a particular cluster, which indicates each manufacturer's control signal and its duration for a new code-driven TV. In essence, the entire control signal cluster, including the three different control signals described herein, will be as long as 230 ms, including a 40 ms delay period between individual coded control signals. Of course, according to the principles of the present invention,
Some clusters may vary in length.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated another timing diagram for the operation of an embodiment of the present invention. Various control signal clusters are shown for selectable button inputs. As can be seen in the figure, each reference numeral 4
ON / OFF represented by 01, 402, and 404, CHANNEL UP,
And the CHANNEL DOWN clusters all have a time delay of approximately 370 milliseconds, suitably in addition to the 230 milliseconds required for the control signal, designated 401a, 403a, and 404a, respectively, to give each cluster The overall length will essentially have a length that matches the 600 ms length of the pulsed data stream used at the ON / OFF and CHANNEL UP inputs.
The control signal cluster 403 at the SELECT / MUSIC input contains only a single 230 millisecond control signal 403a. Of course, various different signal cluster durations and delays can be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described and described in considerable detail by describing its embodiments, it is not intended that the appended claims be limited to those details and that they be limited in any way. It is not the intention of the applicant. Other advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited by the specific details shown, described, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples. Accordingly, departures may be made from these details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's inventive concept.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a general-purpose television control system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control sequence diagram for an operation of the embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control sequence diagram for the operation of the embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for the control sequence shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a control sequence similar to FIG. 6 for one embodiment of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID , IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Palm Burns, USA 47006, Batesville, The Pines 1183 (72) Inventors Schumann, Richard Jay. United States, Indiana 47012, Brookville, Deer Run Road 8399 F-term (reference) 5C056 KA14

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. A television control system for controlling different models of hospital television, comprising: an input device operable to generate at least one input signal corresponding to input from a person; and an interface with the hospital television. A controller responsive to the input signal and operable to generate a cluster of control signals for operating different models of hospital television that may be coupled to the control system. The control signal cluster includes a plurality of sequentially generated individual control signals corresponding to specific operating functions of a plurality of different models of hospital television; the controller further comprises: If the input signal continues for a predetermined time after being performed, it is regarded as a part of the control signal cluster. Operable to generate a data stream, said data stream corresponding to operating functions of a hospital television that does not respond to the control signal; whereby the control system responds to patient input in a variety of different ways. A television control system that automatically operates any of the model hospital televisions. 2. The controller operable to generate a control signal to turn on hospital television, wherein the control signal cluster includes sequentially generated ON signals for a plurality of different models of hospital television. The television control system according to claim 1. 3. The controller is operable to generate a control signal to turn off hospital television, and the control signal cluster includes sequentially generated OFF signals for a plurality of different models of hospital television. The television control system according to claim 1. 4. The controller is operable to generate a control signal that changes a viewing channel of the hospital television, and the control signal cluster converts a sequentially generated CHANNEL signal for a plurality of different models of hospital television. The television control system according to claim 1 including: 5. The CHANNEL UP which operates the television to advance up available viewing channels of the hospital television.
5. The television control system according to claim 4, including a signal. 6. The CHANNEL DO signal for operating a television to advance down available viewing channels of a hospital television.
5. The television control system according to claim 4, including a WN signal. 7. The controller operable to generate a control signal for operating a radio device associated with a hospital television, wherein the control signal cluster comprises a radio signal corresponding to at least one particular model of hospital television. The television control system according to claim 1, including a signal. 8. The controller operable to generate a control signal for selecting an operating function from available television operating functions, the control signal cluster corresponding to at least one particular model of hospital television. SE
The television control system according to claim 1, including a LECT signal. 9. The television control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a processor (processor) that processes the input signal and generates the control signal. 10. The television control system according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a relay, and the relay is opened and closed to generate the control signal. 11. The television control system according to claim 1, wherein the control signal cluster includes a delay period between control signals. 12. The input device is operable to generate a plurality of different input signals, and the controller is responsive to the different control signals to generate different control signals for a plurality of different operating functions of the hospital television. And wherein the different control signals are configured to have substantially the same effective duration such that different operating functions of the television are operated at substantially the same speed. Television control system. 13. A hospital bed having the ability to control different models of hospital television positioned near the bed, comprising: a frame and a support surface coupled to the frame for receiving a person; An input device operable to generate a corresponding at least one input signal; and a controller configured to interface with hospital television, the controller responsive to the input signal to the control system. Operable to generate clusters of control signals for operating different models of hospital television, which may be combined; wherein the control signal clusters correspond to a plurality of operating functions of a plurality of different models of hospital television. A sequentially generated individual control signal; said controller further comprising: said control signal Operable to generate a data stream as part of the control signal cluster if the input signal lasts for a predetermined time after being generated, wherein the data stream is not responsive to the control signal; A hospital bed that is operable; the control system automatically operates any of a variety of different models of hospital television in response to patient input. 14. The hospital bed according to claim 13, wherein the controller includes a processor that processes the input signal and generates the control signal. 15. The hospital bed according to claim 13, wherein the controller includes a relay, and the relay opens and closes to generate the control signal. 16. A hospital pillow speaker for use with a hospital bed and capable of controlling different models of hospital television positioned near the bed, comprising: a body including an interface surface for interfacing with a person; A plurality of input devices available on the interface surface and operable to generate at least one input signal corresponding to input from a human; and a controller configured to interface with hospital television; The controller is operable, in response to the input signal, to generate a cluster of control signals for operating a different model of hospital television that may be coupled to the control system; Multiple sequentially corresponding to specific operating functions of different models of hospital television The controller further generates a data stream as part of the control signal cluster if the input signal lasts for a predetermined period of time after the control signal is generated. Operable and the data stream corresponds to operating functions of a hospital television that does not respond to the control signal; whereby the control system responds to patient input by switching between any of a variety of different models of hospital television. A hospital pillow speaker that operates automatically. 17. The pillow speaker according to claim 16, wherein the controller includes a processor that processes the input signal and generates the control signal. 18. The controller of claim 16, further comprising a relay operatively coupled to the processor, the processor operable to open and close the relay in response to the input signal to generate the control signal. The pillow speaker according to 1. 19. The pillow speaker according to claim 16, wherein the controller includes a relay, and the relay opens and closes to generate the control signal. 20. A television control system for controlling different models of hospital television, comprising: an input device operable to generate at least one input signal in response to an input from a human; A controller configured to interface, wherein the controller is operable to generate control signals for operating different models of hospital television that may be coupled to the control system; Operable to couple to the input device to receive the input signal and to generate a control signal cluster reflecting the input signal; wherein the control signal cluster is specific to a plurality of different models of hospital television. Including a plurality of sequentially generated individual control signals corresponding to the operating functions; Wherein the control system is a television control system for operating automatically any of hospital television variety of different models in response to the input of the patient. 21. The controller according to claim 20, wherein the controller generates a control signal for turning on the hospital television, and wherein the control signal cluster includes an ON signal sequentially generated for a plurality of different models of hospital television. A television control system as described. 22. The controller of claim 20, wherein the controller generates a control signal to turn off hospital television, and wherein the control signal cluster includes sequentially generated OFF signals for a plurality of different models of hospital television. A television control system as described. 23. The controller according to claim 20, wherein the controller generates a control signal for changing a viewing channel of the hospital television, and the control signal cluster includes a sequentially generated CHANNEL signal for a plurality of different models of hospital television. 3. The television control system according to 1. 24. The CHANNEL U signal for operating a television to advance up available viewing channels of a hospital television.
24. The television control system according to claim 23, comprising a P signal. 25. The CHANNEL D signal which operates the television to advance down the available viewing channels of the hospital television.
24. The television control system according to claim 23, comprising an OWN signal. 26. The controller as claimed in claim 26, wherein the controller generates control signals for operating a radio device associated with the hospital television, wherein the control signal cluster includes a RADIO signal corresponding to at least one particular model of hospital television. Item 2
0. The television control system according to item 0. 27. The controller generates control signals for selecting an operating function from available television operating functions, and the control signal cluster generates a SELECT signal corresponding to at least one particular model of hospital television. The television control system according to claim 1 including: 28. The television control system according to claim 20, wherein the controller includes a processor that processes the input signal and generates the control signal. 29. The controller further comprises a relay operatively coupled to the processor, the processor operable to open and close the relay and generate the control signal in response to the input signal. A television control system according to claim 28. 30. The television control system according to claim 20, wherein the controller includes a relay, and the relay is opened and closed to generate the control signal. 31. The television control system according to claim 20, wherein said controller is operable in one of a plurality of selectable operation modes. 32. The television control system according to claim 31, wherein the controller further comprises a mode switch, and the mode switch is operable to set the operation mode of the controller. 33. The television control system of claim 32, wherein the mode switch is programmable to allow a person to operate to select a mode of operation of the controller. 34. The television control system according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the operation modes includes a selectable lower mode selected by a person when in the operation mode. 35. The television of claim 31, wherein at least one of the operating modes includes a selectable lower mode, and wherein the controller is operable to automatically select the lower mode in response to a user input. John control system. 36. The at least one of the operating modes includes a plurality of selectable sub-modes, wherein the controller is operable to generate the control signal cluster in one of the sub-modes; 32. The television control system of claim 31, wherein the television control system is operable to generate a non-cluster control signal for operating a television that does not respond to the cluster of control signals at the same time. 37. The television control system of claim 20, wherein the controller is further operable to generate a non-cluster control signal for operating a television that does not respond to the cluster. 38. The television control of claim 31, wherein in one of the operating modes, the controller is operable to generate a control signal cluster having control signals substantially directed to a single model of television. system.