U.S. patent application number 10/025934 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for television control system for universal control of hospital televisions.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hill-Rom, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dixon, Steve A., Fridley, Duane P., Palm, Vern, Schuman, Richard J., Vanderpohl, Irvin J. III.
Application Number | 20020053086 10/025934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23859681 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020053086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vanderpohl, Irvin J. III ;
et al. |
May 2, 2002 |
Television control system for universal control of hospital
televisions
Abstract
A television control system for controlling different models of
hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input
from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital
televisions. The controller generates command signal groups
reflective of the input, and the command signal groups include a
plurality of sequentially-generated, individual command signals for
specific operational function of a plurality of different models of
hospital televisions including ON/OFF, CHANNEL UP, CHANNEL DOWN,
SELECT/MUSIC, PREVIOUS CHANNEL, MUTE, CLOSED CAPTION, and CHANNEL
DIGIT operational functions.
Inventors: |
Vanderpohl, Irvin J. III;
(Greensburg, IN) ; Fridley, Duane P.;
(Indianapolis, IN) ; Dixon, Steve A.; (Hamilton,
OH) ; Palm, Vern; (Batesville, IN) ; Schuman,
Richard J.; (Cary, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Intellectual Property Group
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
2700 First Indiana Plaza
135 North Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis
IN
46204
US
|
Assignee: |
Hill-Rom, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23859681 |
Appl. No.: |
10/025934 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10025934 |
Dec 19, 2001 |
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09468404 |
Dec 20, 1999 |
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09468404 |
Dec 20, 1999 |
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09157760 |
Sep 21, 1998 |
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09157760 |
Sep 21, 1998 |
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08853532 |
May 9, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/78 ;
348/E5.096; 348/E5.097; 348/E5.103; 348/E5.122; 725/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/436 20130101;
H04N 21/4884 20130101; H04N 5/44 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101;
H04N 21/4396 20130101; H04N 21/2143 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101;
H04N 5/50 20130101; H04N 5/44582 20130101; H04N 5/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/78 ;
725/153 |
International
Class: |
H04N 007/18; H04N
007/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for controlling a plurality of hospital TV models,
including: an input device that generates an input signal when
actuated; and a controller that responds to the input signal by
generating a plurality of individual command signals, each
corresponding to a different one of the TV models, to cause any of
the TV models to perform a function.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual
command signals are generated sequentially in a command signal
group.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual
command signals includes a plurality of ON command signals for
turning on any of the TV models.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual
command signals includes a plurality of OFF command signals for
turning off any of the TV models.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual
command signals include a plurality of CHANNEL command signals for
changing the viewing channel of any of the TV models.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of CHANNEL command
signals includes a plurality of CHANNEL UP command signals, each
CHANNEL UP command signal being configured to cause one of the TV
models to switch in one direction to an adjacent viewing
channel.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of CHANNEL command
signals includes a plurality of CHANNEL DOWN command signals, each
CHANNEL DOWN command signal being configured to cause one of the TV
models to switch in another direction to an adjacent viewing
channel.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual
command signals further includes a RADIO command signal for
operating a radio associated with a hospital TV.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual
command signals includes a SELECT signal corresponding to a
hospital TV for selecting a function from a plurality of available
functions.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a
processor for processing the input signal to generate the plurality
individual of command signals.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller further includes
a relay coupled to the processor, the processor responding to the
input signal by opening and closing the relay to generate the
plurality of individual command signals.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a relay,
the relay being opened and closed to generate the plurality
individual of command signals.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is operable in any
one of a plurality of operating modes.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller includes a mode
switch for selecting an operating mode for the controller.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the mode switch is
programmable.
16. The system of claim 13 wherein one of the operating modes
includes a selectable submode, the controller automatically
selecting the submode in response to the input signal.
17. The system of claim 13 wherein one of the operating modes
includes a plurality of selectable submodes, the controller
generating the plurality of individual command signals when
operating in one of the submodes, and, when operating in another
submode, generating a different command signal for causing a
hospital TV that does not respond to the plurality of individual
command signals to perform a function.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller also responds to
the input signal by generating a different command signal for
operating a TV that does not respond to the plurality of individual
command signals.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to a
hospital bed.
20. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to a
hospital pillow speaker.
21. A system for controlling a plurality of hospital TV models,
including: an input device that generates an input signal when
actuated; and a controller configured to interface with the
plurality of hospital TVs and being operable in a plurality of
operating modes; the controller responding to the input signal,
when in one operating mode, by generating a command signal group
including a plurality of individual command signals, each
corresponding to a function of one of the TV models; the controller
responding to the input signal, when in another operating mode, by
generating a different command signal corresponding to a function
of a TV model that does not respond to the command signal
group.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein the controller includes a mode
switch for selecting the operating mode of the controller.
23. The system of claim 21 wherein the controller includes a relay,
the relay being opened and closed to generate the individual
command signals.
24. The system of claim 21 wherein one of the operating modes
includes a submode to be selected by a person when the controller
is operated in the one operating mode.
25. The system of claim 21 wherein the controller is connected to a
hospital bed.
26. The system of claim 21 wherein the controller is connected to a
hospital pillow speaker.
27. A system for controlling a plurality of hospital TV models,
including: an input device that generates an input signal when
actuated; and a controller that responds to the input signal by
generating a command signal group including a plurality of
individual command signals, each corresponding to a different one
of the TV models, to cause any of the TV models to perform a
function.
28. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller further generates
a data stream as part of the command signal group when the input
signal continues for a predetermined period of time following the
generation of the command signal group, the data stream
corresponding to a function of a hospital TV that does not respond
to the command signal group.
29. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller generates
individual command signals for causing the plurality of hospital TV
models to switch to a viewing channel corresponding to a channel
digit indicated by the input signal.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein the command signal group
includes sequentially generated CHANNEL DIGIT command signals for
controlling the viewing channel of any of the TV models.
31. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller further generates
a data stream as part of the command signal group when the input
signal continues for a predetermined period of time following the
generation of the command signal group, the data stream
corresponding to a function of a hospital TV that does not respond
to the command signal group.
32. The system of claim 27 wherein the command signal group
includes sequentially generated PREVIOUS CHANNEL command signals
for causing any of the TV models to switch to a previously viewed
viewing channel.
33. The system of claim 27 wherein the command signal group
includes sequentially generated MUTE command signals for causing
any of the TV models to reduce a sound output of the TV model.
34. The system of claim 27 wherein the command signal group
includes sequentially generated CLOSED CAPTIONING command signals
for causing any of the TV models to display closed captioning
text.
35. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller is coupled to a
hospital bed.
36. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller is coupled to a
hospital pillow speaker.
37. A system for controlling a plurality of hospital TV models,
including: input means for generating an input signal when
actuated; and controller means for responding to the input signal
by generating a plurality of individual command signals, each
corresponding to a different one of the TV models, to cause any of
the TV models to perform a function.
38. The system of claim 37 wherein the controller means includes
processor means for processing the input signal to generate the
plurality individual of command signals.
39. The system of claim 38 wherein the controller means further
includes relay means coupled to the processor means, the processor
means responding to the input signal by opening and closing the
relay means to generate the plurality of individual command
signals.
40. The system of claim 37 wherein the controller means includes
switch means for selecting an operating mode for the controller
means.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
00/468,404, filed Dec. 20, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 09/157,760, entitled Television Control System
for Universal Control of Hospital Television, and filed Sep. 21,
1998 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,486), which is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 08/853,532, entitled Television Control System
for Universal Control of Hospital Televisions, and filed May 9,
1997 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,736). The disclosure of both
above-identified applications is incorporated completely herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to hospital interfacing
devices and particularly to an interface device for controlling a
television in a hospital room.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Televisions (TVs) manufactured for use in health care
facilities, such as within hospital rooms, are specifically
designed for use within those environments. In the past, such
televisions have been designed to meet certain requirements
regarding safety and control. However, such hospital TV control has
always been subject to an informal control standard directed to the
patient operation of the TVs from a hospital bed rail control or a
pillow speaker. The term "pillow speaker" is generally used to
refer to a device such as a pendant associated with a hospital bed
which provides an audio speaker and volume control for a
television, along with capabilities for communicating with the
nurse, controlling lighting, and other such features. The pillow
speaker is generally a detached unit connected by a cord to the bed
or to an interface plug in the wall.
[0004] While available hospital TVs and their associated controls
provide a basic viewing experience, they suffer from several
significant drawbacks. Historically, the control of hospital TVs
has been severely limited and has generally consisted of a single
button control which turns the television ON and OFF and changes
the channel. Separate volume control buttons are used for raising
or lowering the volume of the television. For example, such TVs are
turned ON by pressing the TV button. Then, each subsequent
depression of the TV button changes the channel UP to the next
available viewing channel. When all the available channels are
displayed in sequence, the television then turns OFF. Depressing
the TV button again turns the television back ON and prepares it
again for moving UP through the channels. The patient or other
person controlling the TV can only progress upwardly through the
channels. If a desired channel is passed, the patient has to
progress all the way through the channel selections, has to turn
the TV OFF and then ON again, and finally has to move up slowly
through the channels, being careful to again not pass the desired
channel. Furthermore, a patient cannot turn the TV OFF at a
selected channel and then turn it back ON at that channel. The TV
always comes back ON at the same channel and the patient has to
again search for the channel they were previously viewing.
[0005] Such scenarios are not only frustrating and a waste of the
patent's time, but also may unduly and undesirably aggravate the
patient, whose health may not be at its best. While such control
may have been at least sufficient when only a few channels were
available for viewing, the latest TV technology requires additional
control for accessing a large number of additional channels and
operating an expanded set of TV features and functions. For
example, it is desirable to turn the television ON and OFF and have
it remain at the channel which was last selected. Furthermore, it
is desirable to move UP or DOWN through the available channels at
random. Still further, it is desirable to access a number of other
TV features, such as display menus or channel viewing guides. Newly
available hospital TVs, often referred to as code-driven TVs, are
capable of being functionally controlled as desired and discussed
above. However, current hospital TV control technology is usually
only able to provide the limited control that has traditionally
been available with a hospital TV and often cannot take full
advantage of the code-driven TV technology.
[0006] Another significant drawback of available hospital TV
control technology is that each bed and pillow speaker associated
with the bed must be configured to control a specific brand/model
of hospital TV. There are currently at least three major
manufacturers of hospital TVs. To control a specific TV brand/model
from a hospital bed and pillow speaker, the bed and pillow speaker
have to be specially manufactured and configured for that TV
model.
[0007] As such, a hospital or other health care facility has to
know which beds are going to go with which TV models, and the
manufacturer of the beds has to tailor and configure the bed
operation for the specific TV model. Oftentimes, such configuration
is required in the field, which further increases the manufacturing
costs associated with each bed. After the beds and TVs are
installed, a bed cannot be moved to a room having a different TV
model than the one for which it is manufactured and configured.
Otherwise, the TV cannot be controlled from the bed. As may be
appreciated, this presents significant logistical problems for the
hospital in setting up a hospital room. Furthermore, it presents
delays in implementing a bed into a room, because if the bed and TV
do not communicate, then the hospital has to obtain a different
bed, or a different TV model or has to have the bed reconfigured
for the specific TV model available.
[0008] The present hospital TV control scenario is also unsuitable
for hospital bed manufacturing. Manufacturers have to keep
different beds in inventory, or have to specifically tailor or
retrofit each bed to the customer's TV demands. Such retrofitting
is often done by the bed manufacturer in the field. This is not
only costly in the way of increased inventory costs and post
production modifications, but it also creates another issue for
manufacturers' Customer Service Departments to handle.
[0009] Furthermore, not only do the above problems and drawbacks
arise when a new hospital room is being set up, but they will again
occur if there is a malfunction in the bed, in the TV, or both.
Replacement beds or TVs cannot simply be taken from other rooms
unless the hospital only has one type of bed and one model of
television.
[0010] Any solution to the above drawbacks in current TV control
technology must not only take into account the newer code-driven
hospital TVs, but must also be compatible with older TVs that will
probably remain in a particular hospital until they malfunction or
the hospital makes a determination to upgrade to newer TVs. Given
the interest in rising health care costs, the former situation may
occur before the latter.
[0011] Radio capabilities are also usually available with some
hospital TVs. In the past, the bed rails and pillow speakers have
had separate, generally single button, RADIO controls for turning
the radio ON and OFF and changing the radio channels. Furthermore,
radio control was limited like the TV control. Therefore, any
suitable solutions to the drawbacks of the current TV control
technology should also be capable of utilizing available radio
features of a television, whether an older TV model or a newer,
code-driven model.
[0012] One solution to the aforementioned problems in the prior
art, is addressed by U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/853,532,
referenced above, wherein a television control system for universal
control of hospital televisions is provided, addressing the
problems associated with various TV models from different
manufacturers, as well as scenarios wherein a hospital will include
both older and newer televisions. Specifically, the television
control system utilizes various operational modes for adapting the
system to a variety of different situations. For example, the
inventive system may be adapted to hospitals containing both old
and newer TVs, to hospitals containing only newer TVs and/or to
hospitals containing only old TVs. Furthermore, the system may be
adapted, through mode selection, to address a number of other
possible scenarios within a hospital. While such mode selection is
desirable and the inventive system addresses the problems in the
prior art, it requires proper switch selection for the desired mode
upon installation. Accordingly, the proper switch selection
requires an individual to recognize which TVs are in use within a
particular room or within a particular hospital or medical
facility. Such a determination may slow the installation
procedure.
[0013] Furthermore, the previously mentioned system, in one
embodiment, relies upon patient operation of the various input
buttons to switch between sub-modes. It has been determined that
such a process for selecting a mode could sometimes lead to the
inadvertent selection of control for an older style TV when control
of a newer TV is actually desired, or vice versa. Such mode
selection would rely upon all users intuitively operating the
system in the same manner. In the worse scenario, the various
submodes of the system might be changed inadvertently and
undesirably.
[0014] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
address the drawbacks in available hospital TV control scenarios,
and to provide an improved TV control system for medical and health
care facilities, such as hospitals.
[0015] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a TV control system which adapts to TV models from a
variety of different manufacturers.
[0016] It is still a further objective of the present invention to
have a bed-dedicated TV control unit and bed which may be moved
between areas in the hospital without being dependent upon the
model of TV with which it is interfaced.
[0017] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
expandability of TV control functions in a hospital for easily
accessing additional channels and addressing additional features
available with current TV technology.
[0018] It is still a further objective to provide expanded control
capabilities for newer hospital TVs while at the same time
maintaining compatibility with older TVs which are currently in
place in various hospitals.
[0019] It is another objective of the invention to improve upon the
existing inventive control system which addresses the above
objectives and to specifically reduce or eliminate manual switching
or patient control for operation of various older and newer style
TVs with the system.
[0020] It is another objective to provide suitable radio control
within the TV control system.
[0021] These and other objectives will become more readily apparent
from the Summary of the Invention, Brief Description of the
Drawings, and Detailed Description of the Invention, below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention addresses the above-discussed
drawbacks of the prior art and meets the objectives set forth above
and other objectives by providing a TV control system which
universally controls different models of hospital TVs. In that way,
a bed, or pillow speaker, which is outfitted with the invention may
be utilized with any one of a number of different hospital TV
models from different manufacturers without having to be specially
designed or configured for a particular TV model. The television
control system allows a bed or pillow speaker to be moved between
areas in the hospital without being dependent upon the model of TV
with which it is interfaced. The inventive system further provides
expanded functional capability for controlling a hospital TV while
maintaining compatibility with older TVs and providing for suitable
radio control of radio functions available on a particular TV
model. By providing universal control of different TV models, the
invention reduces the logistical problems between hospital and bed
manufacturers when ordering, manufacturing, and installing hospital
beds. Furthermore, the invention gives a hospital greater
flexibility in moving and replacing hospital beds and hospital TVs.
Manufacturers do not have to maintain a large inventory of
different beds configured for specific TV models, thus reducing
inventory costs and post production costs associated with
retrofitting or configuring beds in the field for specific TV
control. Furthermore, the invention gives a patient greater
flexibility and control of the TV and eliminates the inconveniences
and irritations associated with prior hospital TV systems.
[0023] To that end, the TV control system of the invention
comprises an input device which is operable for interfacing with a
person to receive an input, and is further operable for generating
an input signal corresponding to the input. The input device may be
in the form of buttons or switches on the side rail of a hospital
bed or may be incorporated into the control buttons or switches of
a pillow speaker associated with the bed. The input device
essentially provides an indication to the patient of the type of
control available for the hospital TV and possibly a radio system
associated therewith. The system further comprises a controller
which is configured for interfacing with the hospital TV. The
controller is operable for generating the necessary individual
command signals to operate different models of hospital TVs. The
controller not only provides individual command signals for newer
code-driven TVs, but is still capable of controlling older TVs
which are in place in existing hospital facilities. The controller
is operably coupled to the input device to receive one of a
plurality of available input signals, such as an input from the
patient to turn the television ON or OFF or to change channels.
[0024] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
the controller is operable for generating a command signal group
reflective of the input signal to control the TV as desired by the
patient. The command signal group includes a series or string of
spaced pulses comprising a header for the specific model of
hospital television followed by an eight bit control code. The
command signal group includes a plurality of sequentially
generated, individual command signals, which are sent one after the
other. Each of the individual command signals corresponds to a
specific operational function for a plurality of different models
of hospital TVs. Therefore, the sequentially generated control
signals of each command signal group reflect the desired
operational function of the patient. In particular, each command
signal group in an exemplary embodiment is a series or string of
pulses comprising a separate header for each specific model of
hospital TV followed by an eight bit control code for the specific
model of hospital TV that reflects the desired operational function
of the patient.
[0025] For example, when the patient pushes the TV ON button, the
controller of the inventive system generates a command signal group
which has a plurality of sequentially generated ON commands, one ON
command for each TV of a plurality of different models of hospital
TVs which may be coupled to the system. That is, if the system is
configured for controlling television Model A, Model B, and Model
C, each from different manufacturers, then the inventive system
provides a command signal group including ON signals for Model A,
Model B, and Model C for turning the TV on. The sequentially
generated ON signals proceed one after the other. If the bed
containing the inventive system is coupled with a Model B TV, then
the TV will simply ignore the ON individual command signals for
Model A and Model C, and will respond to the Model B signal by
turning itself on. Since the command signal group includes
sequentially generated command signals for a plurality of different
models of hospital TVs, then the bed and inventive control system
may be moved to a room with a different TV model, such as a Model A
TV, and the control system will be able to properly operate that
model as well without any reconfiguration of the control
system.
[0026] Preferably, a particular input signal will produce a command
signal group which corresponds to the same operational function for
each TV model with which the system might be interfaced. For
example, an ON input from the patient will generate a command
signal group of only ON command signals for the TVs. However, in
accordance with another principle of the present invention, the
command signal group might include individual command signals for
different operational functions. For example, for one TV model, the
command signal group may include command signals to provide radio
features from the TV, while for another TV model, and within the
same command signal group, the individual command signal might
operate the TV to provide a channel guide showing the available
viewing channels. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary
skill in the art, that other features might be included in a
command signal group depending upon the operational functions of
the available TV models.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, inputs are provided for
turning the television ON/OFF, for moving the viewing channel UP,
and for moving the viewing channel DOWN, while another button
corresponds to a SELECT or RADIO feature of the TV model. The
ON/OFF, UP, and DOWN, are the basic functions which most patients
will utilize when operating a hospital television. However, it will
be appreciated that other operational functions may be utilized and
thus the input device may provide the appropriate switches or
buttons to access those additional functions. For example,
additional inputs are provided in another embodiment of the
invention for returning to a previously viewed channel, for muting
or substantially reducing sound level, for causing closed
captioning text to be displayed, and for entering viewing channel
digits (i.e. inputs for entering digits 0 through 9).
[0028] The present invention is capable of operating newer,
code-driven TVs, and is also capable of operating older TVs under
the older command protocol. To that end, one embodiment of the
present invention operates in a variety of different modes
depending upon whether old TVs, newer code-driven TVs, or a
combination of both are to be encountered by a bed which is
outfitted with the inventive control system. To that end, the
invention comprises a mode switch which is coupled to the main
processor of the system for determining the selected mode. The mode
switch may be utilized to set the system into a particular mode
depending upon the installation parameters and the TVs
available.
[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, a mode switch and
different selectable modes are eliminated. In the alternative
embodiment, the invention takes advantage of the backward
compatibility of newer TVs which are compatible to the older
command protocol, so that the newer TVs may be installed in
hospitals where only the older command protocol is available. To
that end, the command signal group, which is generated in
accordance with the principles of the present invention, may
include the individual command signals for the older protocol, as
well as the new individual command signals for the newer TVs.
Specifically, the command signal group initially includes
individual command signals for the newer TVs, and if the TV does
not respond, a data stream for operating an older TV is added to
the command signal group. In that way, the older TVs are
essentially handled as if they were a TV from another manufacturer.
Furthermore, no mode switching or mode selection is necessary by
either the installer or a patient utilizing the inventive system.
In such an alternative embodiment, the backward compatibility of
newer TVs is also taken into account, so that a selected function,
such a CHANNEL UP function, is always generated under the older
command protocol. All TVs, older and newer, will recognize certain
function command signals, such as a CHANNEL UP command signal,
based upon the older command protocol. Preferably, in accordance
with such an alternative embodiment, the command signal group of
command signals is repeated at regular intervals if a particular
input is repeatedly engaged and the individual command signals are
appropriately separated by time delay intervals to allow correlated
functions to occur at a similar rate. For example, the CHANNEL UP
command signals and CHANNEL DOWN command signals are repeated at
the same intervals so that the channels may be scrolled up and down
at generally the same rate.
[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the controller utilizes
a plurality of relays to generate the command signal group. The
relays are coupled to the system processor, and they are opened and
closed as directed by the processor to form a series or string of
spaced pulses which create the specific individual command signals
for a particular TV model. Through selective operation of the
relays, the individual command signals, and command signal groups
are created as necessary for operating a hospital TV. The relays
are also bi-directional and not sensitive to polarity errors that
may occur upon installation of the system. The features and
advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the
Brief Description of Drawings and the Detailed Description of the
Invention below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the Universal
Television Control System of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic of the System in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of one
embodiment of the inventive system;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a control sequence diagram for operation of one
embodiment of the inventive system;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of one
embodiment of the inventive system;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a control sequence diagram for operation of one
embodiment of the inventive system;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for the control sequence
illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a control sequence similar to FIG. 6 for one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for use in a hospital
or other health care facility implementing the universal television
control system of the invention. System 10, illustrated in FIG. 1,
provides the necessary interface between the patient, the bed, the
control system, and the TV. System 10 implements a plurality of
user inputs 12 which are preferably provided by the bed rail
circuitry of a hospital bed or the circuitry of a pillow speaker.
In currently available hospital beds and pillow speakers with TV
control systems, control buttons are available for operating the
bed, operating the television, calling a nurse or other attendant,
and a variety of other functions associated with hospital beds.
While the input devices are traditionally bed rails and pillow
speakers, other input devices might be used. Transient protection
circuitry 14 is utilized for isolating the system controller 16
from a user input device to prevent electrical shock and other
hazards to a patient or other user, and also to protect the
controller circuitry. The controller 16, discussed in greater
detail hereinbelow, includes a processor 36 which provides the
necessary signals, in the form of a coded data stream on output
lines 18 for controlling a bi-directional interface and ultimately
for controlling the hospital TV in accordance with the principles
of the present invention. Controller 16 is preferably coupled to an
appropriate power source and regulator circuitry 20, such as power
from a hospital bed. System 10 also preferably includes an
auxiliary power source 22, such as battery, when a more standard
source of power is not available. The coded data stream signals 18
operate bi-directional interface circuitry 24 which provides proper
operational coupling between the TV and processor 36 of controller
16. Transient protection circuitry 26 is also preferably positioned
between the bi-directional interface circuits 24 and the TV. In
that way, a series of isolated TV individual command signals 28 are
provided to the TV. Controller 16 circuitry of system 10 is thus
electrically isolated both from the TV and the user input devices
for protecting the controller 16 circuitry.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic diagram for the controller 16
of system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. In accordance with the
principles of the present invention, a patient or other person is
able to control a variety of different TV models using input
buttons, switches, or other devices on a hospital bed rail, pillow
speaker, or similar input device. Throughout this application, the
term "models" used in referring to the different types of hospital
TVs which are available, refers both to different brands of
hospital TVs made by different manufacturers, such as RCA/GE,
Zenith, and Magnavox/Philips, and also refers to the different
types of models which may be available from any one manufacturer
but which may require a different control protocol.
[0041] To control the hospital TV in accordance with the principles
of the invention, user inputs or input signals 12 are provided to
controller 16 from the existing TV control circuitry of a hospital
bed 30, or from another input device 32, such as a pillow speaker.
For example, a user input might be the operation of a button,
switch or other device on the bed or pillow speaker. The TV control
input circuitry of a bed will generally be located at the available
left and right side rails of the bed (not shown) as is
conventional. However, it will be understood that other locations
on the bed may also be suitable for the TV control input circuitry.
The input circuitry preferably includes a number of input
buttons/switches 34, as shown on the pillow speaker 32, which may
be pressed or activated by a patient. It is also conventional to
locate TV control buttons on the pillow speaker. While the pillow
speaker 32 and bed 30 may be used exclusive of each other for TV
control, a pillow speaker will generally be provided with the bed,
and in such a case, the inputs from the various devices may be
operably tied together as illustrated in FIG. 2. The various
available user inputs will preferably generate input signals. FIG.
2 shows four input lines which make up the user input signals 12.
However, a lesser or greater number of inputs, input signals and
appropriate lines may be provided depending upon the number of
input buttons/switches 34 utilized with the bed or pillow speaker
and the desired control of the TV.
[0042] Controller 16 further comprises a processor 36 which is
preferably an integrated circuit micro-processor, such as Model No.
PIC 16C84 available from Microchip, Chandler, AZ. Alternatively,
the processor 36 might include a programmable logic array (PLA)
which is specifically configured for use within the controller 16
in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The
processor 36 is operably coupled to the input devices 30, 32 for
receiving input signals 12 therefrom which correspond to the input
buttons/switches 34 accessed by the patient. The processor 36 reads
the user input signals 12, and depending upon the processor's
operational mode, as discussed further hereinbelow, processor 36
will generate output signals 38 (coded data stream 18 from FIG. 1)
which are used for ultimately producing the output signals or
individual command signals 28 necessary for controlling a hospital
TV 40 coupled to system 10 of the invention.
[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor
36 is coupled to bi-directional interface circuitry 24 comprising a
plurality of relays 42a, 42b, and 42c. The relays are utilized for
producing the TV command signals 28. Three relays are illustrated
and discussed herein; however, it will be understood by a person of
ordinary skill in the art that a different number of relays might
also be utilized depending upon the number of individual command
signals 28 which are desired for controlling the hospital TV 40.
Therefore, the system is expandable both with respect to user
inputs and output command signals. Suitable relays are solid state
relays HP HSSR 8400 available from Hewlett-Packard.
[0044] In one embodiment, processor 36 is also coupled to a mode
switch 44 for controlling the operating mode of the processor 36.
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, mode switch 44 illustrated in FIG. 2 has four
individual switches 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d and thus is capable of
providing a number of binary states or mode signals 46 to processor
36. As illustrated in FIG. 2, three of the mode signals 46 (from
switches 44b, 44c, and 44d) are coupled directly to processor 36
while the other mode signal or output from mode switch 44a is used
to couple two control signal lines together. Again, it will be
understood that mode switch 44 may be capable of initiating greater
than 16 modes in controller 16 in accordance with the principles of
the present invention. Also, in another embodiment of the
invention, a mode switch may not be necessary, as discussed
below.
[0045] Relay support circuitry 48a, 48b, and 48c is coupled between
the processor 36 and output signals 38 and the respective relays
42a, 42b, and 42c. The support circuitry provides a high drive
current to each of the relays for creating the TV individual
command signals 28. That is, the relays create the actual command
signals 28 for the TV under the command and operation of processor
36 and output signals 38. Preferably the relays 42a, 42b, and 42c
are optical relays which provide an optical isolation between
individual command signals 28 and the processor 36 and input
circuitry 30, 32. In the embodiment disclosed herein, relay 42a is
primarily utilized for the traditional TV functions of TV 40.
Relays 42b and 42c are utilized for radio functions associated with
TV 40.
[0046] More specifically, the output lines of 42a designated TV+
and TV- are used to send the appropriate individual command signals
to TV 40, and thus are appropriately coupled to the TV. The relays
42a, 42b, and 42c are polarity independent and thus provide the
bi-directional interface 24 of controller 16. TV 40 would generally
be coupled to the controller 16 through an appropriate wall
interface 50 (see FIG. 1). In conventional systems, it is necessary
to ensure that the polarity of TV lines 52 coupled between TV 40
and the wall interface 50 was proper because the control lines TV+
and TV- on the other side of the interface 50 are polarity
dependent. However, since the relay 42a will simply connect or
disconnect the lines TV+ and TV- in a controlled fashion to send
the appropriate individual command signals 28, the lines are
bi-directionally coupled and the polarity of lines 52 may be
switched and the system 10 of the invention will still operate
properly. This provides a significant advantage over prior systems,
which were susceptible to being improperly wired, thus preventing
proper operation of the TV.
[0047] Depending upon the mode of operation, relays 42b and 42c are
utilized to provide radio command signals for a wired radio, or
alternatively, channel UP and DOWN signals for some hard-wired TV
models such as that provided by Zenith. Again, mode switch 44
provides a selection of different modes of operation for processor
36, and additional relays may be added to the inventive system to
address the need for additional TV command signals.
[0048] The present system would be operational for a variety of
different hospital TV models including, but not limited to, the
following:
[0049] RCA and GE televisions currently manufactured by Thomson
Consumer Electronics, including RCAJ250520 20 inch TVs and
GE20GH550 20 inch TVs and later hospital grade models;
[0050] Magnavox and Philips TVs currently manufactured by North
American Philips, including Magnavox KJ92-20P 20 inch TVs and
Philips HC9520C 20 inch TVs and later hospital grade models;
[0051] Zenith TVs manufactured by Zenith Sales Inc. including
Zenith H2057DT 20 inch and later hospital grade models.
[0052] The system is also suitable for adaptation to future
code-driven hospital-grade TVs and also operates older TVs
currently used with the conventional TV control protocol.
[0053] The newer hospital grade TVs are code-driven and thus
operate according to a plurality of different control codes which
are sent to the TV. Old TVs are generally not code-driven. For
operating one of a number of code-driven TVs, controller 16
produces a command signal group comprising a plurality of
individual command signals in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. More specifically, the command signal group
includes a plurality of sequentially generated, individual command
signals which correspond to the specific operational functions of a
plurality of different models of hospital TVs. In particular, the
command signal groups in an exemplary embodiment are a series or
string of individual command signals or pulses comprising a
separate header for each specific model of hospital TV followed by
an eight bit control code for the specific model of hospital TV
which corresponds to a specific operational function of a specific
models of hospital TV. The individual command signals are sent to
the TV one after the other. The inventive system thus will
automatically operate any one of a variety of different models of
hospital TVs in response to a patient input. Furthermore, in an
alternative embodiment, both newer and older TVs may be operated
with a single command signal group.
[0054] The command signal group preferably includes a particular
individual command signal for each of the TV models that may be
used with the invention and alternatively, may include individual
command signals for older TVs. The particular TV model interfaced
with a hospital bed or pillow speaker receives the command signal
group and will recognize and utilize the particular individual
command signal of that command signal group which operates that
specific TV model or the specific older or newer TV. The other
individual command signals of the command signal group which are
not meant for the particular model of older/newer TV in the
hospital room are essentially ignored. The command signal group is
generated by controller 16 very rapidly and thus presents little
delay in operating a particular TV. That is, there is preferably
very little delay between each of the individual command signals of
the command signal group. The inventive system can be moved very
easily between the various models of hospital TVs and does not
require any reconfiguration or retrofit to operate the different TV
models. In that way, should there be a malfunction in the bed of
the TV, another bed utilizing the inventive system can replace the
malfunctioning bed, or alternatively, another TV may be installed
without concern for the particular TV model and its compatibility
with the bed. This provides a substantial savings in the time
required to plan and maintain a hospital room, and further reduces
the logistical problems that have existed in the past with respect
to arranging beds and TVs in hospital rooms so that compatibility
is maintained. Furthermore, the hospital does not have to use just
one particular TV model or one particular bed, as long as all the
beds utilized incorporate the inventive system.
[0055] Examples of the operation of the system, and the various
selectable modes of one embodiment of the invention, will be
helpful in understanding the invention. The operational modes of
controller 16 are determined by processor 36 and in one embodiment
by mode switch 44 coupled to the processor 36. Mode switch 44 is
preferably a dip switch which allows for rapid configuration of
controller 16 to tailor the operational mode of the system to a
particular hospital environment. For example, if a hospital
contains both old TVs and newer code-driven TVs, one mode might be
selected, whereas if a hospital only has the older TVs, or only has
newer, code-driven TVs, another mode might be selected. The
selected mode may also depend on the kind of radio capabilities
available. Therefore, the mode switch provides a degree of
programmability so that a user may program the selected operating
mode. Of course, other programming devices might also be used to
select the operating mode.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart for the operation of the
processor 36 of controller 16 in one embodiment of the invention.
Upon powering the bed 30, the pillow speaker 32, or any other
available power sources 20, 22, the processor 36 is powered up and
controller 16 is appropriately set to a reset mode (Step 60). The
processor 36 then reads the dip switch 44 (lines 46) to determine
the operating mode selected (Step 61). Then the operating mode is
set for the processor 36 (Step 61A). The processor 36 then returns
to, or is restored to the last operating submode (Step 62) of the
selected mode which will usually correspond to the particular
hospital scenario, including the model of TV which is being
controlled. Some of the operating modes of the invention, like
Operating Mode 1 discussed below, have several submodes that may be
used. Accordingly, if one of these modes is chosen, the processor
36 will want to return to the proper submode in that mode.
Processor 36 is therefore preferably configured to store current
operating submodes and to remember the submodes for future
operation even if power is removed.
[0057] Next, processor 36 defines the input switches (Step 64),
depending upon the selected operating mode. That is, each of the
input switches/buttons 34 from the bed 30 or pillow speaker 32 or
other input device may initiate different operational functions of
the TV 40 depending upon the operating mode of the controller 16.
Next, the mode switch is again read (Step 65) to determine if the
switch has been changed after start-up of the system. If the switch
has been changed, a new mode is being requested, and new input
switches must be defined (67). The processor 36 then polls the
input devices (Step 66) and reads the respective input signals 12
to determine if a patient is trying to control the TV 40. If the
user input is active (Step 68), such as if a button is pushed
and/or a switch closed from the various input devices, then
processor 36 will respond accordingly. If no user input is active,
then the processor 36 will simply re-poll or re-read the user
inputs until one of the inputs becomes active as indicated in the
flow chart loop in FIG. 3. The processor 36 will also poll the mode
switch to detect a mode change. If a user input is active,
processor 36 will determine whether the user wants to change to a
different submode within the current operating mode (Step 70). In
at least one operating mode of the invention, a plurality of
submodes are available for controlling TV 40. For example, an
operating mode may provide control of both old TVs and newer,
code-driven TVs, wherein one submode in that mode is dedicated to
the old TVs and another submode is dedicated to the newer,
code-driven TVs. Accordingly, in response to the user inputs 12,
the processor 36 may automatically change from one submode to
another submode (Steps 74, 76) depending upon the model of TV which
is to be controlled.
[0058] If a user input is active, but no operating mode or submode
change is requested, the processor 36 generates the proper relay
control signals 38 for creating an appropriate command signal group
28 to control the TV (Step 72). As discussed further hereinbelow,
the individual and sequentially generated individual command
signals of each command signal group correspond to specific
operational functions for a plurality of different hospital TV
models. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, some of the
particular input signals will generate a command signal group which
has individual TV command signals which all relate to essentially
the same or very similar operational functions for different TV
models. For example, a TV ON command input signal from the patient
will generate a command signal group with a plurality of different
ON command signals to turn on different TV models to be interfaced
with the system. The actual TV 40 coupled to the inventive system
will see a plurality of ON signals and will respond only to the ON
signal that it recognizes.
[0059] If the processor 36 determines that the user is changing the
operating mode to a different submode, the processor 36 will
determine that different operating mode or submode (step 74) and
will store that operating mode or submode (Step 76). As a result,
and as illustrated in FIG. 3, new switch inputs for the input
devices will be defined (step 64). In one embodiment of the
invention, the mode change or submode change provided by the
controller 16 will be transparent to the user. For example, if the
processor 36 is currently in an operating mode which will allow it
to operate both new and old televisions, but is in a submode which
is directed to newer televisions, processor 36 will have to switch
submodes in order to control an old TV. Therefore, in response to a
TV ON input from the patient, for example, controller 16 will
generate a command signal group for turning new TVs on. An old TV
will not turn on and therefore the patient will generally provide a
prolonged ON signal, such as by keeping the TV ON button depressed.
The processor 36 will read the prolonged ON signal and will switch
submodes to the old TV submode at which time the old TV will turn
on.
[0060] Operating Mode 1:
[0061] Turning now to the various operating modes of one embodiment
of the invention, FIG. 4 shows a simulated timing sequence with
associated simulated command signal groups for Operating Mode 1,
illustrated with Submode A and Submode B. The actual individual
command signals of the command signal group may vary from the
simulated signals shown by pulse width, number of pulses, and
spacing between pulses. FIG. 4 illustrates eight input buttons from
an input device, although additional input buttons or switches may
be added as appropriate for expanding the inventive system, as
previously discussed. Furthermore, FIG. 4 discloses command signal
groups which have individual command signals for TV models
designated Magnavox/Philips, RCA/GE and Zenith, although other
manufacturers' codes might also be utilized in the command signal
group, as appropriate. Magnavox is listed with Philips, and RCA is
listed with GE, for example, because the hospital TV models having
those brand names share similar individual command signals. For
example, RCA brand TVs and GE brand TVs will share a similar
individual command signal protocol.
[0062] On the left side of FIG. 4, the input buttons are designated
as ON/OFF, CH UP, CH DOWN, SELECT/MUSIC, PREV CH, MUTE, CC, and
"0". The ON/OFF button is for turning the TV on and off, the CH UP
button is for moving the channel up, the CH DOWN button is moving
the channel down, and the SELECT/MUSIC button is for accessing a
radio feature or selecting some other operational function of the
TV. Moreover, the PREV CH button is for causing the TV to return to
a previously viewed channel, the MUTE button is for causing the TV
to mute or substantially reduce the sound level, the CC button is
for causing the TV to toggle between displaying and not displaying
closed captioning text, and the "0" button is for entering a zero
digit for a viewing channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the input
device further includes separate buttons for each of the digits "1"
through "9" so that a user may directly input the digits of a
viewing channel.
[0063] When the ON/OFF switch or button 34 on the bed 30, pillow
speaker 32, or other input device is pressed and the processor 36
is in Operating Mode 1 and Submode A, controller 16 sends a command
signal group 80 to TV 40. Command signal group 80 includes a TV
ON/OFF signal for each of Magnavox/Philips, RCA/GE, and Zenith. The
TV model coupled to controller 16 sees the TV ON/OFF individual
command signals of the command signal group and will respond
accordingly when it receives the appropriate individual command
signal for that TV model. The remaining individual command signals
for the command signal group are ignored.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the command signals are a series
or string of spaced pulses comprising a separate header for each
specific model of hospital television followed by an eight bit
control code that corresponds to a specific operational function of
the specific model of hospital television. To that end, controller
16 provides the relay command signals 38 for opening and closing
relay 42a to create the selected pulse strings and build the
command signal group. Preferably, there is very little delay
between the individual command signals of each command signal group
as shown in FIG. 4 by the simulated control pulses. Each time the
ON/OFF button is pressed, the command signal group 80 is sent. If
the CH UP command button is pressed, the controller 16 will create
command signal group 82 which includes sequentially generated
CHANNEL UP signals for moving the channel up for the different TV
models. Similarly, if the CH DOWN command button is depressed the
command signal group 84 will include appropriate CHANNEL DOWN
signals for moving the channel down for the available TV models.
Both command signal groups 82 and 84 will also be generated using
relay 42a. Each time the CH UP and CH DOWN buttons are pressed, a
channel change is made. Furthermore, if either button is held down
the appropriate command signal groups 82, 84 are repeated to change
the channel.
[0065] If the SELECT/MUSIC button is pushed the command signal
group 86 created will include individual command signals for
different operational functions depending upon the TV model. For
example, for Magnavox/Philips TVs, command signal group 86 will
include the individual command signal for selecting a particular
feature of the TV, such as a channel guide or other available
operational function, while it will turn on a radio, such as an FM
radio, for code-driven RCA/GE TVs and Zenith TVs. When the radio is
on, the CH UP and CH DOWN buttons are used to change the available
channels for the code-driven TVs with radio features. When the
radio has been turned on, a subsequent depression of the
SELECT/MUSIC button will turn the radio off. Command signal group
86 will also be generated through relay 42a.
[0066] Each time the PREV CH command button is pressed, the command
signal group 81 is sent which includes sequentially generated PREV
CH signals for causing different TV models to return to a
previously viewed channel. Similarly, if the MUTE command button is
pressed, the controller 16 creates command signal group 83 which
includes sequentially generated MUTE signals that cause different
TV models to toggle between a muted state in which the sound level
is substantially reduced and a non-muted state in which the sound
level returns to a normal level. Likewise, if the CC button is
depressed, the controller 16 creates command signal group 85 which
includes sequentially generated CLOSED CAPTION command signals that
cause different TV models to toggle between displaying closed
captioning text and not displaying closed captioning text.
Furthermore, if the "0" button is depressed, the controller 16
creates command signal group 87 which includes sequentially
generated "0" CHANNEL DIGIT command signals for causing different
TV models to turn to a viewing channel indicated by the "0" CHANNEL
DIGIT command signal. The command signal groups 81, 83, 85, and 87
are also generated using relay 42a.
[0067] To turn the television off once it has been turned on, the
patient would touch the ON/OFF button and command signal group 80
would again be generated. Generally, the ON and OFF codes for
code-driven hospital TVs are the same. Therefore, the signal for ON
is the same as the signal for OFF. Preferably, the time between
each individual command signal of a command signal group is small
so that the patient does not have to wait a significant amount of
time to control the TV each time an input button is pressed. The
buttons have been designated for the most-used particular
operational functions of the TV. However, the expandability of the
inventive system may require that additional buttons be added.
Furthermore, while buttons such as the CH UP button will provide a
command signal group of CHANNEL UP signals, one signal for each TV
model, other buttons may provide mixed command signals for
different operational functions, such as the SELECT/MUSIC button
which turns on the radio for some TVs and selects other options,
such as a channel guide, for other TVs. It will be appreciated that
the actual user input buttons may be marked with a designation
other than ON/OFF, CH UP, CH DOWN, etc., depending upon the
available options for the TV and to prevent patient confusion. For
example, if the TV is only capable of radio functions with the
SELECT/MUSIC button, the button might simply be designated
MUSIC.
[0068] The command signal groups 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87
are generated within Submode A of Operating Mode 1, which is
directed to newer, code-driven TVs. However, Operating Mode 1 will
also allow the inventive system to operate old TVs. Old TVs
essentially may be controlled with a single button, which is
depressed to turn the TV on, to move up through the channels, and
to turn the TV off when the last viewing channel has been passed.
Referring to Submode B in FIG. 4, the input buttons are configured
for old TV operation. However, for operating old TVs, controller 16
must be in Submode B. In one embodiment of the invention, the
controller 16 may be switched to Submode B according to step 70 of
FIG. 3 by holding the ON/OFF button down continuously for
approximately 7-8 seconds. The length of time in which the ON/OFF
button is held down is not particularly critical except that it is
desirable to prevent inadvertent entry into Submode B if the
patient holds down the ON/OFF button while trying to operate a
code-driven TV. It has been determined that a delay of 7-8 seconds
would be suitable for preventing inadvertent switching between the
submodes. When the processor 36 senses that the ON/OFF button has
been held down for 7-8 seconds, it will switch to Submode B, and
the ON/OFF button will generate a signal through relay 42a for
turning the old TV on, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the signal
for turning the television on, moving up through the channels, and
turning the television off is essentially the same signal, the CH
UP button, when depressed, will cause the controller 16 to produce
a similar signal through relay 42a. While the signals for turning
an old TV on and off and moving the channel up is essentially
created by the opening or closing of a relay to create a continuous
signal rather than a pulsed code, the signal will still be
designated as a "command signal" in the nomenclature of this
invention similar to the pulse codes for the newer code-driven TVs.
Once the processor 36 has been placed in Submode B, it will remain
in that submode. In that way, each subsequent depression of the
ON/OFF button does not have to be continuous for 7-8 seconds to
turn the television on. The submode will preferably be remembered
by the processor 36 (Step 76, FIG. 3).
[0069] In Submode B, the CH UP button produces the same effect as
the ON/OFF button in the sense that once the television is on,
depressing the CH UP button moves the channel up, and will turn the
TV off after the last channel has been passed. Once the TV is on,
depressing the ON/OFF button will also change the channels until
the TV turns off. When using the ON/OFF button and the CH UP
button, relay 42a will be closed as long as the button is pressed
for controlling the TV.
[0070] The SELECT/MUSIC button in Submode B of Operating Mode 1
causes the processor 36 to drive relays 42b and 42c. The relays are
held closed as long as the SELECT/MUSIC button is pressed (see FIG.
4.). For hospital TVs having a separate radio system, the radio
will be controlled through the output of relay 42b, designated as
RL and the output of relay 42c, designated as RR. The common line
R- for the two relays 42b and 42c are tied together. When the
SELECT/MUSIC button is pressed, the radio is turned on, and if the
button is held, the radio steps through the available listening
channels. When it passes the last listening channel it will turn
off, and will turn on again with a subsequent depression of the
SELECT/MUSIC button. Alternatively, the TV may switch to TV audio
after the last radio channel is passed, depending on the TV being
controlled. With the old TVs the radio system is generally
independent of the TV and thus relays 42b and 42c are used instead
of the television control relay 42a.
[0071] In Operating Mode 1, the individual switch 44a of mode
switch 44 is open, and the common lines for the TV (TV-) and the
radio (R-) are not tied together as they are for other operating
modes. Therefore, in Operating Mode 1, old TVs and associated
radios and newer, code-driven TVs and radio systems may be operated
without requiring special programming or configuring of a bed or
pillow speaker, regardless of the TV model available. The three
switches 44b, 44c, 44d of the mode switch 44 are coupled to
processor 36 to vary the operating mode of the processor 36.
Therefore, the three switches provide the binary possibility of
eight operating modes. Of course, additional switches may be added
to mode switch 44 as appropriate for expanding the available
operating modes of processor 36.
[0072] In one possible embodiment, to move back to Submode A from
Submode B, the CH DOWN button is pressed or held for 7-8 seconds to
prevent inadvertent switching back to Submode A. Alternatively, a
SELECT/MUSIC button may be used to switch submodes. The processor
36, then switches back to Submode A for operating code-driven TVs.
Moreover, in Submode A, the PREV CH button, the MUTE button, the CC
button, and the "0" button do not control the TV.
[0073] Operating Mode II:
[0074] In a second Operating Mode, the system 10 is operable for
controlling a Zenith three-wire system TV. In such a system, three
dedicated wires are used. One wire is used for turning the TV on
and off, one wire is used for changing the channel up, and the
other wire is used for changing the channel down. When Operating
Mode II is chosen by using switches 44b, 44c, and 44d, the ON/OFF
button will drive relay 1 (closed as long as button is pressed),
and will turn the TV on and off. Use of the CH UP button will cause
the processor 36 to drive relay 42b (closed as long as button is
pressed) to change the channel up, and the CH DOWN button causes
processor 36 to drive relay 42c (closed as long as button is
pressed) to change the channel down. In Operating Mode II the
SELECT/MUSIC button, the PREV CH button, the MUTE button, the CC
button, and the "0" button do not control the TV. Referring to FIG.
2, switch 44a of the mode switch 44 must be closed to couple the TV
common line (TV-) and the radio common line (R-) together for
proper operation.
[0075] Operating Mode III:
[0076] Certain hospitals may have only old TVs and a separate radio
system. Therefore, it may be desirable to have the controller 16
operate only for old TVs and the radio system. To that end, Mode
III may be chosen with mode switch 44. In Mode III, the ON/OFF
button drives relay 1 and turns the television on, moves the
channel up, and turns the television off, as illustrated in FIG. 4
for Submode B of Operating Mode I. Similarly, the CH UP button
drives relay 1 for operating the TV like the ON/OFF button. The CH
DOWN button and the SELECT/MUSIC button both drive relays 2 and 3
to toggle the radio on and off and change the channel as described
above for Submode B in Operating Mode I. For a system which will
only operate in mode 3, the labeling of the input CH DOWN might be
changed so as not to confuse the patient. Switch 44a is open in
Operating Mode III. Moreover, in Operating Mode III, the PREV CH
button, the MUTE button, the CC button, and the "0" button do not
control the TV.
[0077] Operating Mode IV:
[0078] For those facilities which only utilize newer, code-driven
TVs but with separate radio systems, Mode IV may be chosen with
mode switch 44. In Mode IV, the ON/OFF button turns the television
on and off through command signal groups, like command signal group
80 shown in FIG. 4. The CH UP and CH DOWN buttons also generate
command signal groups like command signal groups 82 and 84,
respectively. The SELECT/MUSIC button drives relays 42b and 42c
(closed as long as button is pressed). Furthermore, the PREV CH
button, the MUTE button, the CC button, and the "0" button generate
command signal groups like command signal groups 81, 83, 85, and
87, respectively. In that way, the separate radio may be toggled on
and off and the channel may be changed as discussed with Operating
Mode III. In Operating Mode IV, switch 44a is open. Should it be
desirable for also providing flexibility to operate a code-driven
TV with radio features, the SELECT/MUSIC button might also provide
a Radio ON/OFF code, as shown in command signal group 86, for
certain TV models.
[0079] Operating Mode V:
[0080] In Operating Mode V, controller 16 is selected for use with
hospitals having only newer, code-driven TVs with or without radio
features. Therefore the ON/OFF, CH UP, CH DOWN, PREV CH, MUTE, CC,
and "0" buttons operate as discussed in Mode 1/Submode A. When the
SELECT/MUSIC button is depressed, the controller 16 sends a RADIO
ON/OFF code for RCA/GE and Zenith TVs, and the SELECT signal for
Magnavox/Philips (command signal group 86). However, the relays 42b
and 42c are not operated because they are not needed due to the
lack of any separate radio system.
[0081] Operating Mode VI:
[0082] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
a hospital facility may have only one TV model from a single
manufacturer. In such a case, it may be desirable to provide a
controller 16 in which the operating mode is specifically directed
to that TV model, but which includes the other universal TV control
capabilities of the invention should the hospital acquire other TV
models in the future.
[0083] Accordingly, Mode VI of the processor 36 may generate
command signal groups which have individual command signals and
pulse strings for only one particular model of TV. For example, a
hospital might have only RCA/GE TVs. Accordingly, when the
processor 36 and controller 16 of the invention are in Mode VI, the
controller 16 would generate codes directed only to RCA/GE for
turning a TV on and off, changing channels, and operating the radio
functions of the code-driven TV. For example, an ON/OFF button
might generate a command signal group having only TV ON/OFF codes
for RCA/GE code-driven TVs. In that way, the control provided by
the inventive system may be more specifically tailored, thus
eliminating extraneous command signals and/or control functions. Of
course, the mode switch could very easily be changed, such as
throwing a different combination on dip switch 44 to provide an
expanded control capability of the system in accordance with the
principles of the present invention, should it be necessary to
control additional TV models beyond the original single TV model.
The operation of the controller 16 would be similar to that
described above, except that the command signal groups would only
have individual command signals for one particular manufacturer,
such as RCA and GE.
[0084] Additional Modes:
[0085] Similar to Operating Mode VI, additional operating modes are
utilized with the inventive system, wherein each operating mode is
tailored to a specific TV model, such as a Zenith model, RCA/GE
models, and/or Magnavox/Philips models, or an even more specific
model, such as a particular model of Magnavox or RCA. For example,
a hospital may have only one particular Magnavox model to control,
and thus may desire a system directed to that Magnavox model. In
such an operating mode, the command signal groups contain only
control signals for the selected model of TV. That is, the command
signal groups will only have the Magnavox individual command
signals therein. Accordingly, the invention provides adaptability
to a very wide variety of different hospital TV individual command
scenarios and necessary control protocols. With a quick changing of
the mode switch 44, any one of a number of different operating
modes may be selected, depending upon the hospital scenario and the
particular model of TV to be controlled. No additional programming
or hardwiring will be necessary.
[0086] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the mode
switch 44 might be eliminated while a generally similar hardware
configuration as shown in FIG. 2 would still be utilized. In the
alternative embodiment, the command signal group takes into account
individual command signals for both newer and older TVs, as well as
TVs from different manufacturers. Therefore, different modes will
not be necessary for operating older and newer TVs. Of course, the
mode switch 44 may still have use in a number of installations,
particularly those requiring wired radio, or alternatively for
CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN command signals for some hard-wired TV
models, as described above. The alternative embodiment will further
eliminate the need for the controller 16 to remember its last
sub-mode state, such as upon power loss, thus reducing the control
complexity and overall cost of the system.
[0087] The alternative embodiment takes into account that newer,
code-driven hospital TVs are manufactured for backward
compatibility with control systems for older TVs due to the
installed single-button controllers currently predominant in the
hospital market. That is, the newer TVs must also recognize the
command signals for older TVs so that they may be used in existing
hospital facilities with only older control hardware. However,
older style hospital TVs do not recognize the new code-driven TV
commands. By incorporating the individual command signals for newer
and older TVs into a single command signal group, the need for mode
switch configuration, patient interfacing with the mode switch, and
storing of the sub-mode information is generally eliminated, thus
reducing the complexity of the control system.
[0088] FIG. 5 is the flow chart depicting the operation of the
processor 36 for the alternative embodiment of the invention. Upon
powering the system, the controller 16 is set to a reset mode (Step
101), similar to the reset mode in the embodiment discussed above.
The processor 36 then may read certain configuration switches to
determine the interface characteristics of the system. For example,
a configuration switch might define special installations, such as
wired radio systems, or those systems that have wired CHANNEL UP
and CHANNEL DOWN command signals, as previously disclosed. In such
a scenario, the configuration switches might handle some of the
tasks handled by a mode switch. As noted, the alternative
embodiment preferably eliminates mode switches and thus the reading
of the configuration switch (Step 102) would be optional, depending
upon the hardware configuration. Next, the processor 36 defines the
various button switch inputs (Step 103). The definition of the
button inputs may also depend upon the setting of any optional
configuration switches, although they may be hardwired. Since there
will preferably be no mode switching within the embodiment
disclosed in FIGS. 5-8, it is not necessary to continue to read and
re-read a mode switch and to restore the last operating sub-mode of
the system.
[0089] After power to the system, the processor 36 then polls the
various button inputs (Step 104) to determine if a user input is
active and a user is interfacing with the system, i.e., a user is
pressing a control button for a TV. If no button input is active,
the processor 36 returns to read any optional configuration
switches (Step 102) or to define the button inputs (Step 103) as
shown in FIG. 5. If one of the user inputs is active, as determined
by a YES answer to Step 104, then the processor 36 checks to see if
the active input is the ON/OFF button input (Step 105). If the
ON/OFF button input is active, the processor 36 then sends the
appropriate ON/OFF command signal group for the particular TVs
coupled to the system, such as those manufactured by
Magnavox/Philips, RCA/GE, and Zenith. Referring to FIG. 6, the
ON/OFF command signal group is shown as command signal group 201 in
FIG. 6. The individual command signals of the command signal group
are sent consecutively and sequentially with a short delay between
each, as discussed above. Of course, the sequence order of the
various different manufacturers may be varied. For example, the
Zenith individual command signal may be sent as the first
individual command signal in the command signal group.
[0090] In accordance with one aspect of the alternative embodiment
of the invention, the command signal group 201 also may include
individual command signals for older TVs, as well as the newer,
code-driven TVs of the various manufacturers. Turning to FIG. 5,
the processor 36 will send command signal group 201 to turn the
television on or off (Step 106). Processor 36 will then continue to
monitor the input line to see if the ON/OFF button input is still
active (Step 108), ie., the system determines if a user is holding
the button down or in an engaged position. If it is not, processor
36 returns to steps 102 and 103, as shown in FIG. 5. However, if
the ON/OFF button input is still active, the processor 36 sends a
pulsed data stream (Step 112) until the ON/OFF button is released.
Referring to FIG. 6, the pulsed data stream 201a is shown which
includes a high period 201b that is approximately 600 milliseconds
in duration and a low period 201c that is approximately 20
milliseconds in duration. The pulsed data stream 201a is operable
to turn on an older TV which does not recognize the other coded
individual command signals of command signal group 201. Upon
receiving the pulsed data stream 201a, an older TV will turn on.
Furthermore, the TV will begin to sequence up in channels if the
ON/OFF button input is still engaged and the data stream is
continuously repeated. The upward sequencing through the viewing
channels is currently how older TVs will operate upon receiving the
repeated pulsed data stream 201a. The pulsed data stream 201a is
repeated as long as the ON/OFF button input is held (Step 112). In
that way, command signal group 201 is capable of operating both
newer and older style TVs without the requirement of a mode
selection switch, or mode selection through a user interface.
Therefore, the operation of the ON/OFF control for any kind of TV,
older or newer, code-driven, is transparent to a user.
[0091] When the ON/OFF button input is active, the processor 36
sends all of the various coded individual command signals of the
command signal group in their entirety for all applicable TV
manufacturers, even if the user releases the ON/OFF button input
before all of the individual command signals are sent. In that way,
any newer code-driven television will be turned on, as long as the
specific command signal for the TV make/model is within the command
signal group 201. If nothing occurs upon engaging the ON/OFF button
(indicating that an older TV is being used), the user will usually
continue to engage the ON/OFF button input until something does
occur. When the button input is continuously engaged so that the
input signal generated by the button input continues for a
predetermined amount of time after the individual command signals
are sent, the pulsed data stream 201a will be sent by the
controller 16 to turn on or off the older TV. In that way, the data
stream 201a is added to command signal group 201 as part of the
command signal group. If a newer TV is utilized and turns on
through one of the coded individual command signals in command
signal group 201, and the user still continues to engage the ON/OFF
button input for a predetermined time, the pulsed data stream 201a
will be sent by the controller 16 and a new model TV will also
begin to sequence up through channels. This is because newer,
code-driven TVs are backward compatible to the control process of
an old TV, as discussed above. That is, the newer TVs see the
pulsed data stream as a user input that is consecutively pressing a
single button input. Therefore, the newer TVs will ramp up through
the channels effectively at a 620 millisecond rate, according to
the length of the pulsed data stream 201a. The older TVs will also
ramp up through channels if the button input remains active after
the TV is on. The pulsed data stream 201a will be immediately
terminated as soon as the ON/OFF button input is inactive or
disengaged. Therefore, either a newer, code-driven TV or an older,
single-button interface TV will respond to the ON/OFF button input
of the invention. Consecutive presses and releases of the ON/OFF
button will toggle a newer TV on and off as desired.
[0092] Returning to FIG. 5, if the ON/OFF button input is not
active, the processor 36 checks to see if the CHANNEL UP button
input is active (Step 110). If the CHANNEL UP button input is
active, the processor 36 sends a signal command signal group 202
which consists of a plurality of pulsed data streams 202a.
Referring to FIG. 6, the pulsed data streams 202a are similar to
the pulsed data stream 201a and include approximately a 600
millisecond high period and a 20 millisecond low period. As
mentioned above, newer TVs are made to be backward compatible with
the older TVs such that the newer TVs will also recognize the
pulsed data stream 202a as a CHANNEL UP control command, similar to
the older TVs. As illustrated in FIG. 5, older TVs turn on and
proceed through the channels in response to the same data stream.
Therefore, both newer TVs and older TVs will scroll upwardly
through the available channels upon receiving the command signal
group 202. The pulsed data stream 202a of command signal group 202
will essentially be repeated continuously as long as the CHANNEL UP
button input is active (Step 112). The invention will create an
upward scrolling through available channels at about a 600
millisecond interval or rate.
[0093] If the CHANNEL UP button input is not active, the processor
36 then checks to see if the CHANNEL DOWN button input is active
(Step 109). If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is active, the
processor 36 sends the command signal group 204 which includes the
various coded individual command signals for the TVs. The coded
individual command signals of command signal group 204 initiate the
appropriate command (CHANNEL DOWN) for the newer style TVs, as
indicated by reference numeral 204a. The processor 36 will send all
of the individual command signals for the various different TV
models in their entirety, even if the user releases the CHANNEL
DOWN button before all of the individual command signals have been
sent. If the user continues to hold or engage the CHANNEL DOWN
button, the codes will be followed by a delay period 204b that pads
the time period such that the combination of individual command
signals 204a and the delay 204b is approximately 600 milliseconds
long. If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is held active, the
processor 36 continues to send the full set of CHANNEL DOWN command
signals 204c repeatedly in the sequence (Step 107). This allows a
user to scroll through the viewing channels by maintaining the
CHANNEL DOWN button input active when the TV that is coupled to the
control system is a newer style, code-driven TV. Older style TVs
will not respond to the command signal group 204. The 600
millisecond time period created by the individual command signals
204a and the delay 204b provides the user the capability of
scrolling both CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN through the available
viewing channels of a newer TV at essentially the same rate (i.e.,
around 600 milliseconds), if either button input is held active.
Therefore, the user may actively move through the channels, up or
down, at the same speed.
[0094] If the CHANNEL DOWN button input is not active, the
processor 36 then checks to see if a CHANNEL DIGIT button input
such as the "0" button input is active (Step 113). If a CHANNEL
DIGIT button input such as the "0" button input is active, a
command signal group such as command signal group 208 for the "0"
CHANNEL DIGIT is generated, which consists of the appropriate
CHANNEL DIGIT command for newer TVs (Step 114). If an older TV is
coupled to the control system, and a CHANNEL DIGIT button input is
active, the TV will not respond to the command signals group 208.
Again, for a CHANNEL DIGIT button input, all of the command signals
for the various manufacturers will be sent, even if the user
releases the button before all of the individual command signals of
the command signal group have been sent.
[0095] If a CHANNEL DIGIT button input is not active, the processor
36 then checks to see if the MUTE button input is active (Step
115). If the MUTE button input is active, the command signal group
206 is generated, which consists of the appropriate MUTE command
signals for newer TVs (Step 116). If an older TV is coupled to the
control system, and the MUTE button input is active, the TV will
not respond to the command signal group 206. Again, for the MUTE
button input, all of the command signals for the various
manufacturers will be sent, even if the user releases the button
before all of the individual command signals of the command signal
group 206 have been sent.
[0096] If the MUTE button input is not active, the processor 36
then checks to see if the PREVIOUS CHANNEL button input is active
(Step 117). If the PREVIOUS CHANNEL button input is active, the
command signal group 205 is generated, which consists of the
appropriate PREVIOUS CHANNEL individual command signals for newer
TVs (Step 118). If an older TV is coupled to the control system,
and the PREVIOUS CHANNEL button input is active, the TV will not
respond to the command signal group 205. Again, for the PREVIOUS
CHANNEL button input, all of the individual command signals for the
various manufacturers will be sent, even if the user releases the
button before all of the individual command signals of the command
signal group 205 have been sent.
[0097] If the PREVIOUS CHANNEL button input is not active, the
processor 36 then checks to see if the CLOSED CAPTION button input
is active (Step 119). If the CLOSED CAPTION button input is active,
the command signal group 207 is generated, which consists of the
appropriate CLOSED CAPTION individual command signals for newer TVs
(Step 120). If an older TV is coupled to the control system, and
the CLOSED CAPTION button input is active, the TV will not respond
to the command signal group 207. Again, for the CLOSED CAPTION
button input, all of the individual command signals for the various
manufacturers will be sent, even if the user releases the button
before all of the individual command signals of the command signal
group 207 have been sent.
[0098] If the CLOSED CAPTION button input is not active, the system
may send a code defined for a particular switch which is active
(Step 111). As mentioned above, other options may be available for
controlling a TV. For example, the system might incorporate a
SELECT/MUSIC button input. Referring to FIG. 6, if the SELECT/MUSIC
button input is active, a command signal group 203 is generated,
which consists of the appropriate individual SELECT or RADIO ON/OFF
command signals for newer TVs. If an older TV is coupled to the
control system, and the SELECT/MUSIC button input is active, the TV
will not respond to the command signal group 203. Again, for the
SELECT/MUSIC button input, all of the commands for the various
manufacturers will be sent, even if the user releases the button
before all of the individual command signals of the command signal
group 203 have been sent.
[0099] FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of one embodiment of the command
signal group, and the spacing delays associated with each command.
Reference numeral 301 represents a particular command signal group
wherein each of the manufacturer's command signals and their
durations for the newer code-driven TVs are shown. Essentially, a
full command signal group including the three different individual
command signals described herein will have a length of
approximately 230 milliseconds, including 40 millisecond delay
periods between the individual coded individual command signals. Of
course, other command signal groups may have different lengths in
accordance with the principles of the invention.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, another timing diagram for operation of
one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The various command
signal groups are shown for selectable button inputs. As may be
seen, the command signal groups for the ON/OFF, CHANNEL UP and
CHANNEL DOWN, as indicated by reference numerals 401, 402, and 404,
respectively, are all appropriately padded with a time delay of
approximately 370 milliseconds such that the overall length of each
command signal group, in addition to the 230 milliseconds required
for the individual command signals, indicated respectively as 401a,
403a, and 404a, will essentially have a length which matches the
600 millisecond length of the pulsed data stream utilized with the
ON/OFF and CHANNEL UP inputs. The command signal group 403 for the
SELECT/MUSIC input, which is also exemplary of the PREVIOUS
CHANNEL, MUTE, CLOSED CAPTION, and CHANNEL DIGIT command inputs,
will only include a single 230 millisecond individual command
signal 403a. Of course, various different signal command signal
group durations and delays may be utilized in accordance with the
principles of the invention.
[0101] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments
have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention
of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to
the specific details representative apparatus and method, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or
scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
* * * * *