A LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR USE WITHIN A HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

• US 20140232298A1
• Filed: 01/27/2012
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Gillies, Murray Fulton, Vogt, Juergen, Schmeitz, Harold Agnes Wilhelmus, Van Elswijk, Gijs Antonius Franciscus, Bartula, Marek Janusz, Tijs, Tim Johannes Willem, Miendlarzewska, Ewa Aurelia
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/307
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

The invention relates to a control sys tem (100) for an ambient light environment in a room in a hospital environment. The control system is configured to time and synchronize light effects of the ambient light environment (170, 190) in response to sensor signals (111-113) from patient location sensors (121) or other sensors (122,123) for detecting if a clinical instrument is activated, moved or taken into use or for detecting heart rate. Light effects may be used by the clinical personnel to improve quality and speed of the examination and to create a calming atmosphere for the patient. However, different light effects are required at different times and for different durations. Therefore, timing of the light effects relative to sensor signals may improve workflow and patient comfort.

Claims

1. A light control system (100) for controlling lighting in a room within a hospital environment, the control system comprising,

a controller (101) having an input (110) for receiving a first sensor signal (111) indicative of a location or movement of a clinical instrument, and an output (130) for outputting at least a first control signal to a controllable light (170), where the controller is configured to generate the first control signal in response to the first sensor signal,

a time-scheduler (180) configured to delay the outputting or the generation of the first control signal, where the delay is set relative to a time of receipt of the first sensor signal.

2. A light control system according to claim 1, where the first control signal (111) is time dependent and where a value of the first control signal changes over time so as to enable a gradual change of a color or an intensity of the controllable light (170).

4. A light control system according to claim 1, where the controller (101) has an input (110) for receiving a second sensor signal (112) indicative of a movement or a location of an intravenous or hypodermic needle, where the controller is configured to generate the first control signal in response to the first or the second sensor signal.

5. A light control system according to claim 1, where the control system (101) comprises a storage unit (140) including a number of selectable control schemes, where each control scheme defines the delay of the generation or the outputting the first control signal relative to the first sensor signal and/or a time dependence of a change of a value of the first control signal, and where each control scheme is selectable via a user input device (150).

6. A light control system according to claim 1, where the first sensor signal (111) is generated by a sensor (122) capable of detecting the presence of a radioactively labeled fluid to be injected into a vein of the patient.

8. A light control system according to claim 1, where the controller is configured for generating a third control signal (133) in dependence of the first input signal (111) for controlling a computer controlled pointing device capable of detecting location of veins of a patient and pointing at a vein location suitable for injection of a fluid, where the time-scheduler is configured to delay outputting the third control signal relative to the time of receipt of the first sensor signal.

9. A light control unit (400) for a hospital environment, the unit comprises

a light control system (100) according to claim 1, and

a monitor (190) for displaying images and/or a controllable light (170).

11. A light control system (100) for controlling lighting in a room within a hospital environment, particularly according to claim 1, the control system comprising,

a controller (101) having an input (110) for receiving a first sensor signal (111) indicative of a location of a patient and an output (130) for outputting at least a first control signal to a controllable light (170), where the controller is configured to generate the first control signal in response to the first sensor signal,

a time-scheduler (180) configured to delay the outputting or the generation of the first control signal, where the delay is set relative to a time of receipt of the first sensor signal;

where the controller (101) is configured for generating a second control signal (132) for controlling a visual stimulation device (190), where the controller (101) is configured for generating the second control signal in response to the first sensor signal and/or in response to a second sensor signal (112), where the second signal is indicative of a movement or a location of a clinical instrument, and where the time-scheduler is configured to delay the outputting or the generation of the second control signal relative to the time of receipt of the first input signal (111) or the second input signal (112).

12. A light control system according to claim 11, where the controller further comprises an input (110) for receiving a signal indicative of the heart rate or breathing rate of the patient, and where the controller is configured for generating the second control signal (132) in dependence of the signal indicative of the heart rate or breathing rate of the patient.

3. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

10. A method for controlling lighting in a room within a hospital environment, the method comprises,

receiving a first sensor signal (111) indicative of a location of a patient or a clinical instrument or device,

generating a first control signal (131) to a controllable light (170) by use of a controller (101) configured to generate the first control signal in response to receipt of the first sensor signal,

where the generation or outputting of the first control signal is delayed relative to a time of receipt of the first sensor signal, where the delay is controlled by a time-scheduler (180).