Communication/control device and method of communicating

• US 20030230469A1
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curbell Medical Products, Inc. (Curbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Curbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Engler, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,759,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/003 Membrane embracing all keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/01 combined with other elements on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/048 comprising microphone or speaker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/05 Mode selector switch, e.g. shift, or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus

Abstract

A communication/control device according to the invention may include a housing, a discrete switch and a membrane switch. The discrete switch and the membrane switch may be enclosed in the housing. The discrete switch may be in communication with a life-safety device. The membrane switch may be in communication with an environment device. In a method according to the invention, a housing is provided that has therein a discrete switch in communication with a life-safety device and a membrane switch in communication with an environment device. One of the switches may then be actuated to communicate information.

Claims

1. A communication/control device, comprising:

a housing,

a discrete switch enclosed in the housing, the discrete switch being in communication with a life-safety device, and

a membrane switch enclosed in the housing, the membrane switch being in communication with an environment device.

2. The communication/control device of claim 1, wherein the life-safety device is a call light.

3. The communication/control device of claim 1, wherein the life-safety device is a sound emitting device.

4. The communication/control device of claim 3, wherein the life-safety device is a speaker.

5. The communication/control device of claim 1, wherein the environment device is a television.

6. The communication/control device of claim 1, wherein the environment device is room light.

7. The communication/control device of claim 1, further comprising a toggle switch, the toggle switch having a first toggle state in which the membrane switch has a first function, and a second toggle state in which the membrane switch has a second function.

8. The communication/control device of claim 1, further comprising a toggle switch, the toggle switch having a first toggle state in which the discrete switch has a first function, and a second toggle state in which the discrete switch has a second function.

9. The communication/control device of claim 1, further comprising a speaker enclosed in the housing.

10. The communication/control device of claim 1, further comprising a microphone enclosed in the housing.

11. The communication/control device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the switches is in communication with a microprocessor.

12. The communication/control device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible cover attached to the housing and extending so as to seal the discrete switch within the housing.

13. The communication/control device of claim 1, further comprising a bus extending from a minor edge of the membrane switch.

14. A method of communicating, comprising:

providing a housing having therein a discrete switch in communication with a life-safety device and a membrane switch in communication with an environment device; and

actuating one of the switches to communicate information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the discrete switch is actuated, and the information is a medical emergency.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the membrane switch is actuated, and the information is a desired change to the environment of an individual.