Patent ID: 8362872
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: A61G,G05B

Abstract:
1. An electronic system for an electrically-powered wheelchair comprising: a communication network; a user input controller device for receiving user input, the user input controller device coupled to the communication network; at least two controller responsive devices operating in respective response modes of operation controlled by the user input controller device, each controller responsive device used in operating the wheelchair, wherein the at least two controller responsive devices are coupled to the communication network; and at least one status indicating device for providing a control status output based on at least one input indicative of operational status of the wheelchair, the control status output representing one of a predetermined plurality of different output modes, wherein the at least one status indicating device is coupled to the communication network; wherein the at least one status indicating device is configured to broadcast said control status output to the at least two controller responsive devices over the communication network of the electronic system without involvement of the user input controller device; wherein the respective response modes of operation of the at least two controller responsive devices is influenced by the control status output communicated from the at least one status indicating device to thereby control operation of the wheelchair; wherein said control status output generated by a given status indicating device represents a selected one of a plurality of different predetermined user-programmable status bands for the given status indicating device, and the at least one status indicating device broadcasts the control status output over the communication network only when a change occurs between user-programmable status bands for the status indicating device in order to limit communication traffic on the communication network; and wherein the at least two controller responsive devices include a power module that controls the supply of motive power to the wheelchair, and the power module is adapted to vary motive power of the wheelchair in response to the control status output communicated from the at least one status indicating device.