Ambulance control system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ambulance comprising:
- a video camera;
a plurality of input devices and a plurality of output devices;
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices to control operation of the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of inputs devices; and
an user interface including a display, the display being configured to display I/O status information regarding the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, and the display being configured to display video images provided by the video camera.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ambulance comprises a user interface capable of displaying input and output (“I/O”) status information and a control system coupled to the user interface. The user interface is capable of displaying video images from a video camera, map information generated based on a dispatch system, and/or other information.
251 Citations
38 Claims
-
1. An ambulance comprising:
-
a video camera;
a plurality of input devices and a plurality of output devices;
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices to control operation of the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of inputs devices; and
an user interface including a display, the display being configured to display I/O status information regarding the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, and the display being configured to display video images provided by the video camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A control system for an ambulance comprising:
-
a power source;
a power transmission link;
a plurality of input devices;
a plurality of output devices; and
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices; and
a user interface, the user interface being coupled to receive patient data related to status of the patient and being configured to display the patient data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A control system for an ambulance comprising:
-
a power source;
a power transmission link;
a plurality of input devices;
a plurality of output devices; and
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, the control system being configured to allow engine of the ambulance to remain running without an ignition key being inserted, and the control system being configured to disable the ambulance when an operator input is received without the ignition key being reinserted. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for disabling the operation of an ambulance through the use of a control system with a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules interconnected by a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving I/O status information by an interface module from an input device in relation to status of engine operation;
processing I/O status information by an interface module;
identifying a depression of the brake pedal or a change in transmission gear from the park position by transmission electronic control system;
identifying lack of a vehicle ignition key in vehicle ignition by an input device and an interface module;
transmitting status of the input device by the interface module; and
disabling the engine of the ambulance by the control system responsive to the lack of the ignition key and responsive to an operator input. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A control system for an ambulance comprising:
-
a power source;
a power transmission link;
user interface;
a plurality of input devices;
a plurality of output devices; and
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices;
wherein the control system is configured to provide I/O status information related to the plurality of input and output devices of the ambulance.
-
-
30. A control system for a vehicle comprising:
-
a video camera;
a plurality of input devices and a plurality of output devices;
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices to control operation of the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of inputs devices; and
an user interface including a display, the display being configured to display I/O status information regarding the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, and the display being configured to display video images provided by the video camera.
-
-
31. An ambulance comprising:
-
a motion sensor;
a plurality of input devices and a plurality of output devices, the plurality of output devices including a plurality of devices that provide lighting in a cabin of the ambulance;
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices to control operation of the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of inputs devices; and
wherein the motion sensor in combination with the plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules are configured and programmed to detect motion within the cabin of the ambulance and to activate and maintain the lighting within the cabin of the ambulance for at least a minimum period of time after the motion in the cabin of the ambulance is initially detected.
-
-
32. A vehicle comprising:
-
a dispatch system;
a global positioning system;
a plurality of input devices and a plurality of output devices;
a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices to control operation of the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of inputs devices; and
an user interface including a display, the user interface being configured to display I/O status information regarding the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, and the user interface being configured to display a map generated based on a present location of a vehicle and a desired location of the vehicle, the present location of the vehicle being provided by the global positioning system, and the desired location of the vehicle being provided by the dispatch system. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
Specification