Foot-operated control system for a multi-function

• US 5,883,615 A
• Filed: 09/29/1995
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Poland, Brian J., Pollack, Bill, Fago, Frank M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, FRANCIS N
• Application Number:
  US08/536,272
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 307/119, 200/86.5, 606/34
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0487 Motor-assisted positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/02 Adjustable operating tables; Controls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 15/02 Chairs with means to adjust position of patient; Controls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/14 adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/161 comprising light emitting elements

Abstract

A foot-operated control device system coupleable to a multi-function apparatus comprises a body for positioning on a floor surface and a mode switch manipulatable by the foot of an operator to switch the control device between a dedicated operational mode and an icon operational mode. An actuator is engageable by the operator'"'"'s foot, and the system operates to actuate a dedicated function of the multi-function apparatus with the system in the dedicated operational mode. Another actuator operates to actuate another dedicated function when the system is in the dedicated operational mode. The one actuator is further operable to select a function of the apparatus when the system is in the icon mode and the other actuator is further operable to actuate the selected function whereby the multi-function apparatus may be selectively operated in the dedicated operational mode for some functions of the apparatus and in the icon operational mode for other functions at the discretion of the operator.

Claims

1. A foot-operated control system to be coupled to a multi-function apparatus to actuate at least one function of the multi-function apparatus, the control system comprising:

a body for positioning on a floor surface;

a mode switch on the body manipulatable by the foot of an operator, the mode switch operable for switching the control system between a dedicated non-display related operational mode wherein dedicated functions may be actuated directly by engaging a dedicated actuator in the multi-function apparatus and an icon operational mode wherein selectable functions comprising at least one of said dedicated functions and additional functions may be first selected by choosing a displayed icon and then actuated in the multi-function apparatus when the control system is coupled to the multi-function apparatus;

a first actuator supported by the body to be engaged by the operator'"'"'s foot, the control system operable for being able to activate a first non-selected and dedicated function of the multi-function apparatus when said first actuator is engaged with the control system in the dedicated operational mode;

a second actuator supported by the body to be engaged by the operator'"'"'s foot, the control system operable for being able to activate a second non-selected and dedicated function of the multi-function apparatus when said second actuator is engaged with the control system in the dedicated operational mode;

said first actuator further operable such that the control system generates a selection signal when the first actuator is engaged with the control system in the icon operational mode, the selection signal being for providing selection of one of a plurality of selectable functions of the multi-function apparatus;

said second actuator further operable such that the control system generates an actuation signal when the second actuator is engaged with the control system in the icon operational mode, the actuation signal being for providing actuation of said selected function of the multi-function apparatus;

whereby the multi-function apparatus may be selectively operated by a single system in both the dedicated operational mode to actuate dedicated functions of the apparatus and also in the icon operational mode for selecting and actuating selectable functions of the apparatus at the discretion of the operator.

2. The foot-operated control system of claim 1 further comprising a third actuator wherein the control system is operable for actuating a dedicated function of the multi-function apparatus when said third actuator is engaged with the control system in the dedicated operational mode, said third actuator operable for generating a selection signal when engaged with the control system in the icon operational mode, the control system responsive to said selection signal for selecting a function of the multi-function apparatus.

3. The foot-operated control system of claim 1 further comprising a fourth actuator wherein the control system is operable for actuating a dedicated function of the multi-function apparatus when said fourth actuator is engaged with the control system in the dedicated operational mode, said fourth actuator operable for generating an actuation signal when engaged with the control system in the icon operational mode, the control system responsive to said actuation signal for actuating the selected function of the multi-function apparatus.

4. The foot-operated control system of claim 1 further comprising an icon display and a visual indicator operably coupled to the actuators, the icon display including a plurality of visually selectable segments which correspond to selectable functions of the multi-function apparatus, the visual indicator moving through the segments of the icon display in response to engagement of the first actuator in the icon operational mode and indicating the selected segment when the first actuator is subsequently disengaged.

5. The foot-operated control system of claim 4 wherein the control system is further operable for actuating the function corresponding to the selected segment when the second actuator is engaged in the icon operational mode.

6. The foot-operated control system of claim 4 further being operable to maintain the selected segment and function in the icon mode when the mode switch is engaged to place the system in the dedicated operational mode, another function being actuatable in the dedicated mode and the visual indicator returning to said selected segment when the system is subsequently returned to said icon mode.

7. The foot-operated control system of claim 4 further comprising an audible indicator which is operable to sound when said visual indicator is moved from one segment to the next sequential segment.

8. The foot-operated control system of claim 1 further comprising a guard member coupled to the body proximate at least one actuator to prevent inadvertent engagement of the actuator by the operator'"'"'s foot.

9. The foot-operated control system of claim 1 further comprising a dedicated actuator wherein the control system is operable for activating a dedicated function when the dedicated actuator is engaged regardless of whether the system is in the icon or dedicated mode.

10. The foot-operated control system of claim 9 wherein said dedicated actuator comprises a cross-shaped member with a plurality of legs.

11. The foot-operated control system of claim 10 wherein at least one of said legs of said cross-shaped member has an engageable surface which is elevated higher than an engageable surface of another of said legs for easier engagement of at least one leg by the foot of the operator without inadvertent engagement of said other leg.

12. An apparatus for performing a plurality of different functions comprising;

a mechanical structure operable to execute a plurality of functions, the mechanical structure including a controller for controlling execution of one of said functions in response to an actuation signal;

a foot-operated control system coupled to said mechanical structure controller for selecting at least one function from said plurality of functions and for providing an actuation signal for execution of the selected function, the control system comprising;

a body for positioning on a floor surface;

a mode switch on the body manipulatable by the foot of an operator, the mode switch operable for switching the control system between a dedicated non-display related operational mode wherein dedicated functions are actuated directly by engaging a dedicated actuator in the mechanical structure and an icon operational mode wherein selectable functions comprising at least one of said dedicated functions and additional functions are first selected by choosing a displayed icon and then actuated in the mechanical structure;

a first actuator supported by the body and engageable by an operator'"'"'s foot, the control system operable for generating an actuation signal for execution of a non-selected function dedicated to the first actuator when said first actuator is engaged with the control system in the dedicated operational mode;

a second actuator supported by the body and engageable by the operator'"'"'s foot, the control system operable for generating an actuation signal for execution of a different non-selected function dedicated to the second actuator when said second actuator is engaged with the control system in the dedicated operational mode;

said first actuator further operable such that the control system generates a selection signal when the first actuator is engaged with the control system in the icon operational mode, the selection signal providing selection of one of a plurality of selectable functions from the plurality of functions of the mechanical structure;

said second actuator further operable such that the control device generates an actuation signal when the second actuator is engaged with the control device in the icon operational mode, the actuation signal providing execution of the selected function by the mechanical structure through said controller;

whereby the single apparatus may be selectively operated in both the dedicated operational mode to actuate dedicated functions of the mechanical structure and also in the icon operational mode for selecting and actuating selectable functions of the mechanical structure at the discretion of the operator.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the control system further comprises an icon display and a visual indicator operably coupled to the actuators, the icon display including a plurality of visually selectable segments which correspond to selectable functions of the mechanical structure, the visual indicator moving through the segments of the icon display in response to engagement of the first actuator in the icon operational mode and indicating the selected segment and function when the first actuator is subsequently disengaged.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the control system is further operable to generate an execution signal for the function corresponding to the selected segment when the second actuator is engaged in the icon operational mode.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the system is further operable to maintain the selected segment and function in the icon mode when the mode switch is engaged to place the system in the dedicated operational mode, another function being actuatable in the dedicated mode and the visual indicator returning to said maintained selected segment when the system is subsequently returned to said icon mode.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the control system further comprises an audible indicator which is operable to sound when said visual indicator is moved from one segment to the next sequential segment.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mechanical structure comprises a movable table top, the plurality of functions including directional movement of the table top.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mechanical structure comprises at least one radiation device for photographing a person on the table top, the plurality of functions including different operational modes of the radiation device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the control system further comprises an icon display and a visual indicator operably coupled to the control device, the icon display including a plurality of visually selectable segments which correspond to one of table top directional movement and radiation device operational modes, the visual indicator moving through the segments of the icon display in response to engagement of the first actuator in the icon operational mode and indicating the selected segment and function when the first actuator is subsequently disengaged.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the control system is further operable to maintain a selected radiation device operational mode segment and function in the icon operational mode when the mode switch is engaged to place the device in the dedicated operational mode, a table top directional movement function being actuatable in the dedicated operational mode and the visual indicator returning to said maintained operational mode segment when the device is subsequently returned to said icon operational mode.