Patent ID: 7675430
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: A61C,G05G

Abstract:
1. A device control module for controlling at least first and second devices based on operation of a foot pedal apparatus having a moveable member, the device control module comprising: an RF receiver configured to receive a first RF signal at a first time having a first binary activation command indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from a first operational position, the first RF signal further having a first binary device identifier value indicating the first device is to be controlled; a processor operably coupled to the RF receiver, the processor configured to compare the first binary device identifier value to a first stored binary value in a memory device, the memory device operably coupled to the processor, the processor further configured to compare the first binary activation command to a predetermined activation command, the processor further configured to activate the first device in response to the first RF signal if both the first binary device identifier value is equal the first stored binary value, and the first binary activation command is equal to the predetermined activation command; the RF receiver further configured to receive a second RF signal at a second time after the first time, the second RF signal having a second binary activation command indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from the first operational position, the second RF signal further having a second binary device identifier value indicating the second device is to be controlled; the processor further configured to compare the second binary device identifier value to a second stored binary value in the memory device, the processor further configured to compare the second binary activation command to the predetermined activation command, the processor further configured to activate the second device in response to the second RF signal if both the second binary device identifier value is equal to the second stored binary value, and the second binary activation command is equal to the predetermined activation command; the RF receiver further configured to receive a third RF signal at a third time after the first time and before the second time, the third RF signal having a third binary activation command indicating at least partial displacement of the movable member of the foot pedal apparatus from the first operational position, the third RF signal further having a third binary device identifier value indicating the first device is to be controlled, the processor further configured to compare the third binary device identifier value to the first stored binary value in the memory device, the processor further configured to compare the third binary activation command to the predetermined activation command, the processor further configured to calculate a time interval between the first time and the third time; and the processor further configured to maintain activation of the first device during the time interval if the time interval is less than or equal to a threshold time period, and the third binary device identifier value is equal to the first stored binary value, and the third binary activation command is equal to the predetermined activation command.