Plug and receptacle having wired and wireless coupling

• US 20070141869A1
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Heimbrock, Richard, McNeely, Craig, Huster, Keith, Riley, Carl, Vanderpohl, Irvin, Manguiat, Oscar, Collins Jr., Williams, Tincher, Terry, McDaniel, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,399,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/76.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/083 with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/10 with two or more independently-fillable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/00 Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/005 mounted on the wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0516 : with height adjustability
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0524 : characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 : with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 : on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 : with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/02 : Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 : Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1461 : Suppression of signals in the return path, i.e. bidirectional control circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 : with access to wired networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 : Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A plug and a communication module communicate wirelessly. The plug includes prongs that couple to sockets of a power outlet to receive power for a device associated with the plug. The plug carries circuitry that communicates wirelessly with circuitry of the communication module. The communication module is located near the power outlet in some embodiments.

Claims

1. A plug for coupling to a standard AC power outlet, the plug comprising

a plug body,

a plurality of electrical contact members extending from the plug body and configured to receive AC power from the standard AC power outlet, and

at least one photodiode carried by the plug body, the photodiode being operable to emit or to receive a wireless signal.

2. The plug of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board housed in the plug body and the photodiode being coupled to the circuit board.

3. The plug of claim 1, wherein the photodiode emits the wireless signal as an FMIR signal.

4. The plug of claim 3, further comprising signal-processing circuitry carried by the plug body and coupled to the photodiode.

5. The plug of claim 3, further comprising signal-processing circuitry coupled to the photodiode, the signal-processing circuitry receiving a pair of raw data signals and frequency modulating a first signal of the pair of raw data signals at a first frequency to generate a first frequency modulated signal, the signal-processing circuitry frequency modulating a second signal of the pair of raw data signals at a second frequency to generate a second frequency modulated signal, and the signal-processing circuitry mixing the first and second frequency modulated signals into a mixed signal that is emitted as the FMIR signal by the photodiode.

6. The plug of claim 1, wherein the at least one photodiode comprises a first photodiode operable as a photoemitter and a second photodiode operable as a photodetector.

7. The plug of claim 6, wherein the photoemitter emits a first FMIR signal modulated at a first frequency and the photodetector detects a second FMIR signal modulated at a second frequency, the wireless signal being one of the first and second FMIR signals.

8. The plug of claim 6, wherein the photoemitter emits a first mixed signal comprising a first audio portion that is frequency modulated at a first frequency and a first data portion that is frequency modulated at a second frequency, the photodetector detects a second mixed signal comprising a second audio portion that is frequency modulated at a third frequency and a second data portion that is frequency modulated at a fourth frequency, the wireless signal being one of the first and second mixed signals.

9. The plug of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical contact members comprises a plurality of prongs extending from the plug body in substantially parallel relation in a first direction, the photodiode is arranged to emit or to receive the wireless data signal in a second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

10. The plug of claim 1, further comprising a magnet coupled to the plug body, the magnet being detectable by a Hall effect sensor to indicate that the plug is coupled to the standard electrical outlet.

11. The plug of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal comprises an analog audio signal frequency modulated at a first frequency mixed with a digital data signal frequency modulated at a second frequency.

12. An apparatus for providing data communication and power to a device located in a room having a standard AC power outlet, the apparatus comprising

a cable extending from the device and having at one end thereof a plug comprising a plug body, a plurality of prongs extending from the plug body and configured to couple to the standard AC power outlet to receive AC power, and a first short-range wireless transceiver carried by the plug body, and

a communication module comprising a second short-range wireless transceiver, the communication module being located in the room in proximity to the plug to permit wireless communication between the first and second short-range wireless transceivers.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cable comprises a set of power conductors coupled to the plurality of prongs and a set of data conductors coupled to circuitry associated with the first short-range wireless transceiver, the data conductors being gathered into a grouping spaced from the power conductors, and the cable comprising a shielding around the data conductors.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cable comprises a unitary jacket extending from the plug body and portions of both the data conductors and the power conductors are embedded in the unitary jacket.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cable comprises a junction body spaced from the plug, the unitary jacket extending between the plug body and the junction body, the cable comprises a data cord extending from the junction body, the cable comprises a power cord extending from the junction body, a portion of the data conductors being embedded in the data cord, and a portion of the power conductors being embedded in the power cord.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second short-range wireless transceivers comprises a photodiode.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second short-range wireless transceivers communicate via wireless FMIR signals.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the first and second short-range wireless transceivers has associated therewith signal-processing circuitry that receives a data signal and frequency modulates the data signal to generate at least a portion of a respective one of the FMR signals.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the first and second short-range wireless transceivers has associated therewith signal-processing circuitry that receives a pair of data signals, the signal-processing circuitry of the first short-range wireless transceiver frequency modulates a first signal of the associated pair of data signals at a first frequency to generate a first frequency modulated signal and frequency modulates a second signal of the associated pair of raw signals at a second frequency to generate a second frequency modulated signal, and the signal-processing circuitry of the first short-range wireless transceiver mixes the first and second frequency modulated signals into a first mixed signal that is emitted as one of the FMIR signals.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the signal-processing circuitry of the second short-range wireless transceiver frequency modulates a first signal of the associated pair of data signals at a third frequency to generate a third frequency modulated signal and frequency modulates a second signal of the associated pair of data signals at a fourth frequency to generate a fourth frequency modulated signal, the signal-processing circuitry of the second short-range wireless transceiver mixing the third and fourth frequency modulated signals into a second mixed signal that is emitted as another of the FMIR signals.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second short-range wireless transceivers comprises a first photodiode that is operable as a photoemitter and a second photodiode that is operable as a photodetector.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the photoemitter of the first short-range wireless transceiver emits a first mixed signal comprising a first audio portion that is frequency modulated at a first frequency and a first data portion that is frequency modulated at a second frequency, the photoemitter of the second short-range wireless transceiver emits a second mixed signal comprising a second audio portion that is frequency modulated at a third frequency and a second data portion that is frequency modulated at a fourth frequency, the photodetector of the first short-range wireless transceiver detects the second mixed signal, and the photodetector of the second short-range wireless transceiver detects the first mixed signal.

23. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of prongs extend from the plug body in substantially parallel relation in a first direction and the first and second short-range wireless transceivers are arranged to wirelessly communicate via wireless signals that are emitted in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug comprises a magnet coupled to the plug body, the communication module comprises a Hall effect sensor, and the magnet is sensed by the Hall effect sensor to indicate that the plug is coupled to the standard AC power outlet.

25. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication module comprises a housing in close proximity to the standard AC power outlet and the second wireless transceiver is situated in the housing.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the housing has an opening through which the plug is inserted to couple to the standard AC power outlet.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the communication module further comprises a mounting plate that mounts over a cover plate associated with the standard AC power outlet and the housing couples to the mounting plate.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the opening of the housing is below the second wireless transceiver.

29. An apparatus for coupling a patient-support device to a standard AC power outlet and to a computer network in a healthcare facility, the apparatus comprising

a cable extending from the patient-support device and having at one end thereof a plug comprising a plug body, a plurality of prongs extending from the plug body and configured to couple to the standard AC power outlet to receive AC power, and a first wireless transceiver carried by the plug body,

a communication module comprising a second wireless transceiver, the first and second wireless transceivers communicating wirelessly, and

signal-processing circuitry coupled to the second wireless transceiver and to the computer network.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a first portion of the signal-processing circuitry is situated in a first housing and a second portion of the signal-processing circuitry is situated in a second housing that is spaced from the first housing, the first and second circuitry portions being in electrical communication, the second wireless transceiver being coupled to the first portion of the signal-processing circuitry, and the second portion of the signal-processing circuitry being in electrical communication with the computer network.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein each of the first and second wireless transceivers comprises a photodiode.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first and second wireless transceivers communicate via wireless FMIR signals.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first wireless transceiver transmits a first signal which is received by the second wireless transceiver, the second wireless transceiver transmits a second signal which is received by the first wireless transceiver, the first signal comprises a first audio portion that is frequency modulated at a first frequency and a first data portion that is frequency modulated at a second frequency, and the second signal comprises a second audio portion that is frequency modulated at third frequency and a second data portion that is frequency modulated at a fourth frequency.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein each of the first and second wireless transceivers comprises a first photodiode that is operable as a photoemitter and a second photodiode that is operable as a photodetector.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the plurality of prongs extend from the plug body in substantially parallel relation in a first direction and the first and second wireless transceivers are arranged to wirelessly communicate via wireless signals that are emitted in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the plug comprises a magnet coupled to the plug body, the communication module comprises a Hall effect sensor, and the magnet is sensed by the Hall effect sensor to indicate that the plug is coupled to the standard AC power outlet.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the communication module comprises a housing in close proximity to the standard AC power outlet and the second wireless transceiver is situated in the housing.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the housing has an opening through which the plug is inserted to couple to the standard AC power outlet.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the communication module further comprises a mounting plate that mounts over a cover plate associated with the standard AC power outlet and the housing couples to the mounting plate.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the opening of the housing is below the second wireless transceiver.

41. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the communication module comprises a Nurse Call cancel button.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein a Nurse Call cancel signal is sent from the communication module to the network in response to the Nurse Call cancel button being pressed.

43. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising an emulator having circuitry that emulates at least a portion of the patient-support device and the communication module being coupled to the network via the emulator.

44. A system comprising

a bed having a power plug carrying a first wireless transceiver,

a communication module having a second wireless transceiver that communicates wirelessly with the first transceiver, and

a bed emulator coupled to the communication module, the bed emulator having circuitry to process data received by the second wireless transceiver from the first wireless transceiver.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the bed and the bed emulator each include circuitry that outputs at least one signal which controls a television.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the bed emulator is configured to couple to a Nurse Call system of a healthcare facility.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the communication module comprises a Nurse Call cancel button.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein a Nurse Call cancel signal is sent from the communication module to the bed emulator and then from the bed emulator to the Nurse Call system in response to the Nurse Call cancel button being pressed.

49. The system of claim 44, wherein the bed emulator includes a first data port that is coupleable to a Nurse Call system of a healthcare facility via a first wired connection and a second data port that is coupleable to the bed via a second wired connection.

50. A method for using a plug having a first wireless transceiver and a communication module having a second wireless transceiver, the method comprising

coupling the plug having the first wireless transceiver to an AC power outlet,

placing near the AC power outlet the communication module having the second wireless transceiver so that the first and second wireless transceivers are able to communicate wirelessly, and

coupling the communication module to a data port of a computer network.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein placing the communication module near the AC power outlet comprises placing the communication module over a cover plate associated with the AC power outlet.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein coupling the plug to an AC power outlet comprises inserting the plug through an opening provided in the communication module.

53. An apparatus for use with a simplex AC power outlet having a single power receptacle and a duplex AC power outlet having first and second power receptacles, the apparatus comprising

a first mounting plate having a first opening through which the single power receptacle of the simplex AC power outlet is accessible when the first mounting plate is coupled to the simplex AC power outlet,

a second mounting plate having a second opening through which the first power receptacle of the duplex AC power outlet is accessible when the second mounting plate is coupled to the duplex AC power outlet, and

a housing that is selectively coupleable to the first mounting plate and to the second mounting plate, the housing carrying wireless communication circuitry.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the first opening is generally centered between a top and a bottom of the first mounting plate.

55. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the second opening is closer to a bottom of the second mounting plate than to a top of the second mounting plate.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the housing has at least one tab and each of the first and second mounting plates has an aperture that receives the tab when the housing is coupled to the respective first and second mounting plate.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the housing has a top wall, the tab extends downwardly from the top wall, the first and second mounting plates each have a main portion and a ridge extending outwardly from the main portion, and the at least one aperture in each of the first and second mounting plates is provided in the ridge of the respective first and second mounting plate.

58. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising a Hall effect sensor carried by the housing.

59. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the housing has a third opening that is large enough to permit the first opening and the second opening to align generally with different portions of third opening when the housing is coupled to the first and second mounting plates, respectively.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the wireless communication circuitry is carried by an upper portion of the housing that is situated above the third opening.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the upper portion of the housing has a bottom wall provided with a communication opening and the wireless communication circuitry comprises a photodiode aimed through the communication opening.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the housing has a pair of side portions extending downwardly from the upper portion, further comprising a plug sensor in situated in one of the side portions, and the plug sensor is configured to sense that a plug is received in the third opening;

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the plug sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

64. An apparatus for use with an AC power outlet, the apparatus comprising

a housing that mounts adjacent the AC power outlet, and

wireless communication circuitry carried by the housing.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the housing has an opening through which the AC power outlet is accessible.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the housing mounts over a cover plate associated with the AC power outlet.

67. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the wireless communication circuitry comprises a photodiode.

68. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a data cord extending from the housing and the wireless communication circuitry communicating with a network of computer devices via the data cord.

69. A system for use with a duplex AC power outlet having a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the system comprising

a plug having a plug body, a first set of prongs extending from the plug body and coupleable to the first receptacle, and a first wireless transceiver carried by the plug body, and

a communication module having a housing, a second set of prongs extending from the plug body and coupleable to the second receptacle, and a second wireless transceiver carried by the housing, the first and second wireless transceivers being configured to communicating wirelessly.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the communication module further comprises a Nurse Call cancel button.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the communication module comprises a first connector configured to receive signals from a bed via a second connector that extends from the bed and that connects to the first connector.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein the communication module comprises a first connector configured to receive signals from a hand-held pendant via a second connector that extends from the hand-held pendant and that connects to the first connector.

73. The system of claim 69, wherein the first and second wireless transceivers communicate wirelessly across a gap defined between the plug body and the housing.

74. The system of claim 69, wherein at least one prong of the second set of prongs is non-conductive.

75. The system of claim 69, wherein signals received by the second wireless transceiver are communicated to a network to which the communication module is coupled.

76. An adapter for use with an AC power outlet and a power plug, the adapter comprising

a housing,

a set of prongs extending from the housing, the prongs being coupleable to the AC power outlet,

an adapter outlet coupled to the housing and configured to couple to the power plug, and

wireless communication circuitry carried by the housing.

77. The adapter of claim 76, further comprising a Nurse Call cancel button coupled to the housing.

78. The adapter of claim 76, wherein the wireless communication circuitry comprises at least one photodiode.

79. The adapter of claim 76, wherein signals received by the wireless communication circuitry are communicated to a network.

80. The adapter of claim 76, wherein the housing comprises a main portion and an overhanging portion that protrudes from the main portion above the adapter outlet, the housing comprises a window provided at a bottom of the overhanging portion, and the wireless communication circuitry receives wireless signals transmitted through the window.

81. A system comprising,

a patient-support device,

a cable extending from the patient-support device and having at one end thereof a plug comprising a plug body, a plurality of prongs extending from the plug body, and a first wireless transceiver carried by the plug body,

a piece of architectural equipment,

an AC power outlet coupled to the piece of architectural equipment, the prongs being insertable into sockets of the AC power outlet, and

a communication module coupled to the piece of architectural equipment and comprising a second wireless transceiver, the first and second wireless transceivers communicating wirelessly.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the piece of architectural equipment comprises any one or more of the following:

a headwall unit, a bed locator, a service chase, a service column, a cart, and an arm.

83. The system of claim 81, wherein the communication module is coupled to a network and wireless signals received by the second wireless transceiver from the first wireless transceiver are communicated to the network.

84. The system of claim 81, wherein the communication module is coupled to a Nurse Call system and wireless signals received by the second wireless transceiver from the first wireless transceiver are communicated to the Nurse Call system.

85. A method of associating a hospital bed to a location in a healthcare facility, the method comprising

storing a first unique identifier in memory of the hospital bed,.

storing a second unique identifier in memory associated with the location,

establishing a wireless communication link between a first wireless transceiver of the hospital bed and a second wireless transceiver associated with the location,

in response to establishing the wireless communication link, transmitting to a network of the healthcare facility the first and second unique identifiers, and

storing in memory of a computer device coupled to the network the first and second unique identifiers.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein establishing the wireless communication link between the first wireless transceiver of the hospital bed and the second wireless transceiver associated with the location comprises plugging into an AC power outlet a plug carrying the first wireless transceiver.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein establishing the wireless communication link between the first wireless transceiver of the hospital bed and the second wireless transceiver associated with the location comprises placing a housing of a communication module carrying the second wireless transceiver adjacent the AC power outlet.

88. The method of claim 85, wherein transmitting to the network of the healthcare facility the first and second unique identifiers comprises transmitting the first and second unique identifiers only once in response to the wireless communication link being established.

89. The method of claim 85, wherein transmitting to the network of the healthcare facility the first and second unique identifiers comprises transmitting the first and second unique identifiers periodically after the wireless communication link is established.

90. The method of claim 85, wherein transmitting to the network of the healthcare facility the first and second unique identifiers comprises transmitting the first and second unique identifiers along with each packet of data sent by the first and second wireless transceivers.