Network communication for patient support apparatuses
First Claim
1. A patient support apparatus for use in a healthcare facility having a local area network with a wireless access point, a server coupled to the local area network, and at least one network appliance adapted to communicate with both the local area network and a device remote from the patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus comprising:
- a support surface adapted to support a patient thereon;
a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit data to the server via a first path or a second path, the first path including the device remote from the patient support apparatus but excluding the wireless access point, the second path including the wireless access point but excluding the device remote from the patient support apparatus, the first and second paths each extending all of the way from the patient support apparatus to the server; and
a controller adapted to control when the wireless transmitter transmits data from the patient support apparatus to the server via the first path and when the wireless transmitter transmits data to the server via the second path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, chairs, or the like, include wireless communication systems that are adapted to communicate with a non-local wireless receiver positioned outside of the healthcare facility and not associated with the healthcare facility. A computer positioned within the healthcare facility and coupled a local area network of the healthcare facility receives messages from the patient support apparatuses that have been forwarded by the non-local wireless receiver to the local area network. In some embodiments, the wireless receiver is local and positioned within the healthcare facility. In such instances, a second computer, such as a server, forwards a first subset of the patient support apparatus messages to a first computer via the local area network and a second subset of the patient support apparatus messages to a device remote from the healthcare facility. Patient support apparatuses that communicate using visible light are also disclosed.
36 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A patient support apparatus for use in a healthcare facility having a local area network with a wireless access point, a server coupled to the local area network, and at least one network appliance adapted to communicate with both the local area network and a device remote from the patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus comprising:
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a support surface adapted to support a patient thereon; a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit data to the server via a first path or a second path, the first path including the device remote from the patient support apparatus but excluding the wireless access point, the second path including the wireless access point but excluding the device remote from the patient support apparatus, the first and second paths each extending all of the way from the patient support apparatus to the server; and a controller adapted to control when the wireless transmitter transmits data from the patient support apparatus to the server via the first path and when the wireless transmitter transmits data to the server via the second path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification