Data and power adapter for hospital assistance calls

A data and power adapter (DPA) for assistance requests is described. The DPA includes multiple interfaces. A first interface communicatively couples a backend computer and a patient device of a health care facility. Services to and from the patient device can be supported through the first interface. A second interface communicatively couples a personal electronic device (PED) and/or a PED holder and the backend computer and provides power from a power source of the health care facility to the PED and/or PED holder. The PED may include an assistance request button. In this way, some or all of the services, including assistance request services, can also be supported via the PED and/or PED holder.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices (PEDs) (e.g., digital tablets, smart phones, and other electronic devices) are becoming more popular and prevalent in modern day lifestyles. Hospitals are experiencing increased usage of PEDs, either by patients and/or by hospital personnel. PEDs are being used in hospitals for communication, education, video conferencing with a patient who is in a hospital bed, and entertainment of the patient.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments herein are directed to a data and power adapter for hospital assistance calls, the data and power adapter comprising: a housing; a first connector in the housing, the first connector comprising first connections with a nurse call system of a hospital; and a second connector in the housing, the second connector comprising a first set of connections for power to a personal electronic device (PED), the second connector further comprising a second set of connections for an assistance request signal from an assistance request button to the nurse call system; and a third connector in the housing, the third connector comprising third connections with a patient bed system of the hospital, wherein a subset of the first connections of the first connector and the second set of connections of the second connector are coupled. Embodiments herein are also directed to a system for hospital assistance calls, the system comprising: a data and power adapter that comprises: a housing; a first set of connectors disposed in the housing, the first set of connectors configured to connect the data and power adapter with a nurse call system of a hospital and with a patient bed system of the hospital; and a power and data cable comprising a second set of connectors, the second set of connectors configured to connect the power and data cable with the data and power adapter, with the patient bed system, and with a personal electronic device (PED).

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

With the increase in use of PEDs in health care facilities, such as hospitals, providing data and power to the PEDs from systems of the health care facilities becomes advantageous. In an example, a health care facility includes a system that provides services to a patient. For instance, the system can include a backend computer, a health care provider device, and a patient device (e.g., a hospital pillow speaker). The patient device allows the patient to request assistance by generating and sending an assistance request signal to the backend computer. In turn, the backend computer may send a notification to the health care provide device about the assistance request. In such a system, it can be advantageous to also communicatively couple the PED of the patient (or one provided by the health care facility to the patient) with the backend computer and to provide power to the PED. In this way, the patient's PED can be powered, as needed, throughout the visit and the PED is usable to generate and send the assistance request to the backend computer. As used herein, a PED refers to an electronic device that can support a personal use, where the user of the PED may but need not be the owner of the PED.

To do so, embodiments of the present disclosure involve a data and power adapter (DPA) for assistance requests. The DPA includes multiple interfaces. A first interface communicatively couples the backend computer and the patient device. In this way, the services to and from the patient device can still be supported. A second interface communicatively couples the PED and/or a holder of the PED (referred to herein as a PED holder) and the backend computer and provides power from a power source of the health care facility to the PED and/or PED holder. The PED may include an assistance request button. For instance, this button may be implemented as part of a software application stored and expected by the PED, where the application presents the assistance request button as a soft button on a graphical user interface. Similarly, the PED holder can include an assistance request button. In this way, some or all of the services, including assistance request services, can also be supported via the PED and/or PED holder.

In addition, the DPA may include status indicators related to the power and the services. For instance, the status indicators can be implemented as light sources. A first light source can visibly indicate the state of the power to the PED and/or PED holder. A second light source can visibly indicate the connection state of the PED and/or PED holder. And a third light source can visibly indicate the connection state of the patient device.

Generally, the DPA can supervise, at least electrically, whether an assistance request can be placed from the assistance request button or not. Electrical supervision is defined as using a circuit to detect whether the assistance request button is operable when a user (e.g., a patient) needs to place an assistance request. Many reasons exist for inoperability including any of: (1) and open circuit, (2) a severance of a cable (e.g. a bed cable connected to the PED through the PED holder), or (3) a short circuity. The open circuit can occur when the cable becomes unplugged rendering the assistance request button unusable. This happens most often when the cable is tied to a rail of a bed (e.g., a hospital bed), and then the bed is moved (to move patient or simply by housekeeping to clean the area). The severance can occur when the cable itself is damaged (e.g., cut, disconnected, etc.) rendering the assistance request button unusable. This happens most commonly when the cable is run over or caught in a bed caster. The short circuit can occur when the cable becomes damaged and the conductors used for the assistance request function are shorted, so that the assistance request button is rendered unusable. This happens most commonly when the cable is run over and caught in a bed caster, the short created by pinching the caster into wires of the cable.

One method of electrical supervision relies on a resistor ladder. There is a resistor value connected to one conductor of the cable to the positive voltage rail. There is a second resistor value connected to the other conductor of the cable to the negative voltage rail. There is a third resistor placed in parallel with an assistance request switch. Each conductor can have a voltage in this idle state. If the cable is severed, or the cable is shorted, or the assistance request button is pressed, those voltages change. The change is detected and the detection is used to create an assistance request. In the case of an actual assistance request, the duration of the voltage change is typically short, corresponding to the time the user would press the button. This signal is passed to the nurse call system and initiates a normal assistance request. This assistance request can be reset remotely by a staff member answering the assistance request at a console or a mobile device or by resetting at the bedside. If a fault (open or short) occurs, the voltage change is steady state. The assistance request is continuously placed and can only be reset by going to the room and correcting the issue. This assistance request would essentially be instantaneous with the fault occurrence, and well within the UL1069 requirement of ninety seconds for a supervisory alarm to be initiated.

A second method of supervision includes using a microprocessor at the switch location and another microprocessor at the wall location. The microprocessor on the wall side can be set up to send periodic messages over the cable. The microprocessor at the assistance request button side would acknowledge the transmission and send a reply. If the cable was disconnected, shorted or severed, the wall side microprocessor would then initiate the un-resettable assistance request into the nurse assistance request system. UL1069 sets a requirement for supervision to react within ninety seconds of a fault event.

In an example, the DPA operates in a supervised normally open circuit mode (e.g., a mode that relies on electrical supervision of an open circuit). In other words, the DPA includes electrical circuitry that creates, under normal operations, an open circuit at the interface to the nurse call system. Upon an assistance request signal from the assistance request button of the PED and/or PED holder, the electric circuitry creates a short circuit at the interface. Upon a data disconnect between the DPA and the PED and/or PED holder, the electric circuitry also creates a short circuit at the interface. The nurse call system can detect the assistance request and the disconnection based on the short circuits and send the relevant notifications to the health care provider device.

In the interest of clarity of explanation, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in connection with a supervised normally open circuit mode. However, the embodiments are not limited as such. As explained herein above, the embodiments can rely on electrical supervision. This supervision can be for any of open circuit, cable severance, and/or short circuit.

In also the interest of clarity of explanation, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in connection with a hospital, assistance request button, and a PED holder. However, the embodiments are not limited as such. For example, the embodiments similarly apply to any type of a health care facility and any type of services provided to a patient via the PED or attachments to the PED. These services can be implemented partially or fully as an application installed on the PED and/or as application(s) and/or hardware installed on the attachments connected to the PED. For instance, the assistance request button can be implemented as a soft button on the PED, a hard button on the PED holder, and/or a hard button on a cable that connects the PED holder to the DPA. In another illustration, the services can include providing controls to a bed and/or a television of the health care facility. One or more soft buttons on the PED, one or more hard buttons on the PED holder, and/or one or more hard buttons on the cable may be implemented, where the DPA may couple such button(s) with the relevant patient bed system(s) (e.g., with the bed or the television).

FIG.1illustrates a system100for hospital assistance calls, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The system100includes a nurse call system110, a PED holder120, a bed connector130, a power outlet140, and a DPA150. The DPA150communicatively couples the nurse call system110with the bed connector130through a first interface and the nurse call system110with the PED holder120through a second interface. The DPA150also supplies power from the power outlet140to the PED holder120. The DPA150can have an in-wall installation or an on-wall installation relative to a wall (e.g., a wall in a patient room). Wire routing to and from the DPA150can be to the back and/or face of the DPA150depending on the installation type.

In an example, the nurse call system110is implemented as a backend computer that provides various services to patient devices of the hospital. These services include, for instance, supporting nurse assistance calls from and to such patient devices. A patient device can include an end system connected to the bed connector140, such as a pillow speaker.

The PED holder120includes an assembly of mechanical and electrical components to hold the PED122, provide power to the PED122, and provide a data connection between the nurse call system110and the PED122and/or an assistance request button on the PED holder120. An example of the PED holder120is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/035,283 filed on Jul. 13, 2018, titled “Portable Electronic Device Holder With Assistance Request Button And Method Powering Portable Electronic Device,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The PED122can be any suitable portable electronic device, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a thin-client device, a tablet PC, an electronic book (e-book) reader, or other computing devices or electronic devices.

The bed connector130represents an electrical and/or magnetic connector that can be mounted to a bed of the hospital and that can connect one or more patient bed systems to the nurse call system110and/or other systems of the hospital through the DPA150. An example of the bed connector130is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965 granted on Sep. 29, 2015, titled “Magnetic-enabled connector device,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. A patient bed system represents a system available on the bed or nearby to the bed and usable to access certain services, such as controlling the bed, making a nurse call request, controlling a television, and the like. Each of a pillow speaker, a smart bed, a bed with power and/or data connections, a bed management unit that can collect data of a patient using the bed, and any combination thereof is an example of a patient bed system.

The power outlet140may be available from a wall of a hospital room or may be mounted on the bed or some other fixture in the hospital room. The power outlet140generally supplies power from a power source of the hospital. The power can be provided at a 110 VAC, 220 VAC, 12 VDC, 5 VDC, or at some other voltage range.

As illustrated, the nurse call system110is coupled with the DPA150via a set of cables112. This coupling can be direct or can be through a set of connectors (e.g., a wall connector mounted on a wall of the hospital room). Further, a wireless connection may be additionally or alternatively used depending on the capabilities of the nurse call system110. If a cable is used, the DPA150includes a wired interface, such as an electrical connector, to which the cable can be connected. If a wireless connection is used, the DPA150includes a wireless interface to the nurse call system110, such as a wireless network interface.

The PED holder120is coupled with the DPA150via a set of cables124. A cable in this set124can be a multifunctional cable in the sense that it includes electrical wires dedicated to providing electrical power and electrical wires dedicated to providing data signals. The multifunctional cable can include a connection to an assistance request button or can integrate such a button. A wireless connection may be additionally or alternatively used between the PED holder120and the DPA150. In such a case, the DPA150includes a wireless interface (e.g., a same or a different wireless network interface card as above). The wireless interface may be used for exchanging the data signals, whereas the set of cables124may be used for providing power (and, optionally, for data signal exchange) or may be eliminated.

The bed connector130is coupled with the DPA150via a set of cables132. A cable in this set132can include a set of electrical wires to provide data signals to and from a patient bed system connected with the bed connector130. The DPA150couples the patient bed system with the nurse call system110. This coupling can include connecting the set of cables132with the set of cables112. Additionally or alternatively, if a wireless connection is used, the coupling can include connecting the set of cables132with the network interface card of the DPA150to the nurse call system110. Here also, a wireless connection may be additionally or alternatively used between the bed connector130and the DPA150, in which case the DPA150includes a wireless interface (e.g., a same or a different wireless network interface card as above). As further illustrated inFIG.10, the set of cables124and the set of cables132may be integrated in a single cable having a portion going to the PED122, a portion going to the bed connector130, and a portion going to the DPA150.

The power outlet140is coupled with the DPA150via a set of cables142. Depending on the type of the power source, the coupling can also include a power converter. For instance, if the power outlet140supplies 110 VAC or 220 VAC, an AC to DC power converter (e.g., from 110 VAC or 220 VAC to 12 VDC or 5 VDC) can connect the power outlet140to the DPA150via the set of cables142. Alternatively, the DPA150may include this power converter.

FIG.2illustrates a DPA200for hospital assistance calls, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. A side view of the DPA200is shown on the left side ofFIG.2. A front view of the DPA200is shown on the right side ofFIG.2. As illustrated, the DPA200includes a housing205made out of rigid material, such as plastic or metal, and shaped in a particular configuration, such as a rectangular box. The housing205includes cutouts, where different hardware components of the DPA200are installed. These electrical components include a set of electrical connectors and/or magnetic connectors, a set of switches, and a set of lights.

In an example, a nurse call system connector210(e.g., a first connector) is installed in the housing205. This connector210can be an electrical connector, a magnetic connector, and/or a fiber connector that that can be coupled, via one or more wired connections, with a nurse call system, such as the nurse call110ofFIG.1. Additionally or alternatively, the connector210can be a radio frequency connector and/or an optical connector that can be coupled, via one or more wireless connections, with the nurse call system. For instance, the nurse call system connector210is a multiple pin connector at the bottom, center of the housing205, such as a thirty-seven pin female connector. In another illustration, the nurse call system connector210is a power-over-Ethernet (POE) connector.

A power input connector220(e.g., a second connector) is also installed in the housing205. The power input connector220can be an electrical connector that can be coupled with a power outlet, such as the power outlet140ofFIG.1. For instance, the power input connector220is a multiple pin connector at the bottom right of the housing205, such as a two-pin female connector. Additionally or alternatively, the DPA200can include a local power source, such as a set of batteries. In this case, the power input connector220may, but need not, be omitted.

A hospital bed connector230(e.g., a third connector) is also installed in the housing205. The hospital bed connector230can be an electrical connector, a magnetic connector, and/or a fiber connector that can be coupled, via one or more wired connections, with a bed connector, such as the bed connector130ofFIG.1. Additionally or alternatively, the hospital bed connector230can be a radio frequency connector and/or an optical connector that can be coupled, via one or more wireless connections, with the bed connector130. For instance, the hospital bed connector230is a multiple pin connector at the front left of the housing205, such as a thirty-seven pin female connector.

In the example of a thirty-seven pin female connector, some of the pins in the hospital bed connector230can carry one or more signals. The signals include, for instance, a bed awareness status on pin “1,” a read light on pin “2,” a rom light on pin “3,” a speaker high on pin “4,” a potentiometer wiper on pin “5,” a bed exit status on pin “6,” a nurse call interlock on pin “7,” a negative audio transfer on pin “8,” a positive audio transfer on pin “9,” a positive interlock on pin “10,” a negative interlock on pin “11,” a bed awareness alert on pin “12,” no connection on pin “13” (e.g., pin “13” may not carry a signal), a potentiometer low common on pin “14,” a potentiometer high common/audio STV on pin “15,” a positive answer light on pin “16,” a bed awareness alert on pin “17,” a bed awareness side rail alert on pin “18,” a positive nurse call light on pin “19,” no connection on pins “20,” “21,” and “22” (e.g., each of these pins may not carry a signal), a brake status “on” on pin “2,” no connection on pin “24” (e.g., pin “24” may not carry a signal), a positive nurse call on pin “25,” a nurse call NO/NC on pin “26,” a room/read light common on pin “27,” a negative nurse call light on pin “28,” a negative nurse answer light on pin “29,” a priority NO/NC on pin “30,” a priority common on pin “31,” a bed awareness low height alert on pin “32,” a negative TV/Data (STV) on pin “33,” a positive TV/Data (STV) on pin “35,” a speak low common on pin “35,” an audio shield on pin “36,” and a bed awareness common pin “37.”

A PED connector240(e.g., a fourth connector) is also installed in the housing205. The PED connector240can be an electrical connector a magnetic connector, and/or a fiber connector that can be coupled, via one or more wired connections, with a PED or a PED holder, such as the PED holder120ofFIG.1. Additionally or alternatively, the PED connector240can be a radio frequency connector and/or an optical connector that can be coupled, via one or more wireless connections, with the PED or the PED holder. For instance, the PED connector240is a multiple pin connector at the bottom front, right of the housing205, such as four pin magnetic connector or a four pin female connector.

Multiple USB connectors, such as a first USB connector250(e.g., a fifth electrical connector) and a second USB connector260(e.g., a sixth electrical connector) are also installed in the housing205. Each USB connector can be a type A, B, mini-USB, or micro-USB female socket connector that can be coupled with a PED, such as the PED holder122ofFIG.1. For instance, each USB connector includes four pins or nine pins according to the USB 2.0 or 3.0 standard and is installed near the top front, right of the housing250.

Additionally, multiple electrical switches, such as a first electrical switch282and a second electrical switch284are also installed in the housing205, such as near the top front, center of the housing205. These switches can be used to control some of the services of the DPA120. For instance, the first electrical switch282can disengage certain pins of the nurse call system connector210and/or the hospital bed connector230to prevent a data signal from being generated in case the hospital wishes to disconnect a bed (e.g., decouple the bed connector130), where this data signal would have indicated the disconnection. Similarly, the second electrical switch284can disengage certain pins of the PED connector240to prevent a data signal from being generated in case the hospital wishes to disconnect a PED holder, where this data signal would have indicated the disconnection. In this way, the electrical switches282and284can replace dummy plugs in order to prevent cord out alarms for disconnections.

Furthermore, multiple indicators of operational modes of the DPA200are also installed in the housing205, such as near the center front, right of the housing205. The indicators can includes light sources that provide visible indications of the operations. A first light source292can indicate whether power is available to a PED through the PED connector240and/or the USB connectors250and260. A second light source294can indicate whether a bed is disconnected (e.g., whether the bed connector130is decoupled). A third light source296can indicate whether an assistance request to the nurse call system can be initiated from an assistance request button on a PED holder of the PED, the PED itself, and/or a cable coupling the PED holder or PED with the DPA200.

In an example, the operational modes of the DPA200are implemented such that its idle operational (or normal operation) mode is a supervised normally open circuit mode. In this example, the operational modes that can be detected and used include the idle mode, a disconnected mode, and an assistance request mode. These modes can be detected based on voltage measurements by a voltage monitoring circuit of the DPA200as further described in connection with the next figures. The idle mode indicates that the assistance request button is electrically coupled to the PED connector240and that no assistance request signal exists on a set of electrical connections of the PED connector240. In the idle mode, an assistance request can be initiated from the assistance request button. The disconnected mode indicates that the assistance request button is electrically disconnected from the PED connector240, and thus, no assistance request can be initiated from the assistance request button. The assistance request mode indicates that the assistance request signal exists on the set of electrical connections of the PED connector240. In other words, the assistance request mode is entered upon an initiation of an assistance request from the assistance request button.

In this example, an emission property of at least the third light source296varies between the multiple operational modes of the DPA200. The emission property includes at least one of a wavelength of emitted light, an intensity of the emitted light, or an emission pattern of the emitted light. For instance, the third light source296can be controlled to emit a green light when the DPA200is in idle mode, emit a red light (or may be turned off, or flash according to a pattern) when the DPA200is in the disconnected mode, and emit a blue light when the DPA200is in the assistance request mode.

Although not illustrated inFIG.2, the DPA200can include additional or alternative components. For instance, the DPA200can include an illumination source that projects light to the wall where the DPA200is installed, to the floor, to the ceiling, and/or to the bed. the light projections can be controlled to indicate information received from a nurse call system and/or a PED. Similarly, the DPA200can include a proximity sensor. Operations of the DPA200can be activated (e.g., power and/or data can become available) upon detection of a proximity of a person (e.g., patient or physician) by the proximity sensor, and deactivated otherwise.

FIG.3illustrates example connections300between a nurse call system connector and a hospital bed connector, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The nurse call system connector and the hospital bed connector are examples of the nurse call system connector210and the hospital bed connector230ofFIG.2, respectively.

In an example, the nurse call system connector includes first electrical connections, such as first pins, that can be connected to a nurse call system of a hospital. In comparison, the hospital bed connector includes second electrical connections, such as second pins, that can be connected to a patient bed system on a bed of the hospital. The connections300include a set of electrical wires that connects the first electrical connections with the second electrical connections. As illustrated, the connections300can be one-to-one connections between the pins. For instance, each of the nurse call system connector and hospital bed connector is a thirty seven pin connector. Each pin from each connector is connected only to an equivalent pin of the other connector.

FIG.4illustrates an example pinout400of a power input connector, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Power from a power source of a hospital can be supplied to the power input connector via a power outlet, such as the power outlet140ofFIG.1. The power input connector is an example of the power input connector220ofFIG.2.

In an example, the supplied power is a 12 VDC power. A voltage converter may be installed between the power outlet and the power input connector. In this example, the power input connector includes electrical connections that can be connected to the power source via the voltage converter and power outlet. These electrical connections can include electrical pins and one or more Zener diodes. For instance, the power input connector is a two-pin female connector with a first pin connected to the 0 VDC line and a second pin connected to the 12 VDC line and Zener diode.

Of course other configurations are possible depending on the supplied power. For instance, AC power may be supplied to the DPA and the power input connector can supply this power to an AC to DC converter in the DPA.

FIG.5illustrates an example pinout500of a PED connector, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The PED connector is an example of the PED connector240ofFIG.2, and can be connected to a power input connector to receive power, to a PED holder to supply the power and exchange data signals, and to a nurse call system connector and/or a hospital bed connector, to exchange the data signals. Hence, the PED connector includes multiple sets of electrical connections, such as pins. A first set of electrical connections are for the power. A second set of electrical connections are for assistance request signals from an assistance request button to a nurse call system, where the assistance request button is on the PED holder, a PED in the PED holder, and/or a cable between the PED holder or the PED and the DPA.

As illustrated, the PED connector is a four pin connector. A first pin is connected to a 12 VDC line from the power input connector. A second pin is connected to the 0 VDC line from the power input connector. These two pins are coupled (e.g., via a first set of wires) with pins of the power input connector and can be referred to herein as power pins. A third pin and fourth pin are used for the data signals (e.g., the assistance request signals). These pins are coupled (e.g., via a second set of wires) to pins of the nurse call system connector (or to the equivalent pins of the hospital bed connector) as further described in connection with the next figures. Accordingly, a multifunctional cable can be plugged into the PED connector to couple the first two pins with a power pins of a connector on the PED holder and to couple the last two pins with data pins of the connector on the PED holder.

In the illustrative example ofFIG.5, the third and fourth pins (e.g., referred to herein as data pins) can pass voltage within a certain range corresponding to an assistance request signal. The assistance request signal (or the corresponding voltage across the two pins) represents data for an assistance request (referred to herein as assistance request data). Other types of data can be supported via the two data pins. For instance, if control data for controlling a hospital bed should be supported, corresponding control signals can be multiplexed over the two data pins. In another illustration, data connectivity between a USB connector of the DPA and the PED connector may be desired (in this way, a patient can plug a first PED in the PED connector and a second PED in the USB connector and transfer data between the two PEDs). In this case, the data connectivity can be supported by also multiplexing the corresponding signals over the two data pins. In yet another illustration, the DPA can include a network interface card to receive connectivity data from a network (e.g., the connectivity data here can represent data downloads and/or uploads from a web site via the Internet). Also in this case, the data connectivity can be supported by multiplexing the corresponding signals over the two data pins. Additionally or alternatively, the PED connector can include further data pins dedicated to the other type(s) of data (e.g., control data, connectivity data, etc.).

FIG.6illustrates an example pinout600of a USB connector, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The USB connector is an example of the USB connector250or260ofFIG.2.

In an example, the USB connector includes multiple pins. Two of the pins are connected to power and two other pins are connected to a control network. The power may be supplied from a power converter of the DPA, such as from a 12 VDC to a 5 VDC converter. Power to the converter can be supplied from a power input connector, such as the power input connector230ofFIG.2. The control network can control the voltage output to the other two pins. This voltage output indicates to a PED plugged into the USB connector whether fast charging is available or not. Fast charging allows the PED to draw current between 0.5 and one ampere. Otherwise, the PED can draw current in the range of 0.15 ampere. As illustrated, the control network includes a set of electrical resistors. A first resistor (e.g., seventy-five kiloohms) is connected to the 5 VDC line on one end and to a second resistor (e.g., fifty-one kiloohms) and a pin of the USB connector. The second resistor is also connected to the 0 VDC line. Similarly, a third resistor (e.g., forty-three kiloohms) is connected to the 5 VDC line on one end and to a fourth resistor (e.g., fifty-one kiloohms) and another pin of the USB connector. The fourth resistor is also connected to the 0 VDC line.

FIG.7illustrates a voltage converter700between an input power connector and a USB connector, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the voltage converter700is a 12 VDC to 5 VDC converter. Of course other configurations for the voltage converter700are possible depending on the available input power and the targeted output power. An input side of the voltage converter700is connected to the power input connector. An output side of the voltage converter700is connected to the USB connectors. In an example, a first pin and a second pin on the input side are connected to the 12 VDC line and the 0 VDC line, respectively. A third pin and a fourth pin on the output side are connected to a 5 VDC line and a 0 VDC line, respectively.

FIG.8illustrates an electrical voltage monitoring circuit800, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In an example, the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800is installed between a PED input connector and a nurse call system connector (or, equivalently, a hospital bed connector). Here, the PED input connector and the nurse call system connector are examples of the PED connector240and the nurse call system connector210ofFIG.2. The electrical voltage monitoring circuit800includes an input side and an output side. The input side is connected to data pins of the PED connector and the output side is connected to data pins of the nurse call system connector. Accordingly, the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800couples data pins of the PED connector and data pins of the nurse call system connector. When a PED holder is coupled with the PED connector (e.g., by plugging a cable connected to the PED holder into the PED connector), an assistance request button is electrically coupled with the data pins of the PED connector and, accordingly, the input side of the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800.

The electrical voltage monitoring circuit800outputs a voltage to the data pins of the nurse call system connector. This voltage indicates an operational mode from multiple operational modes of the data and power adapter. As explained herein above, the operational modes include an idle mode, a disconnected mode, and an assistance request mode. The value of the voltage depends on the connection with the assistance request button and whether an assistance request was initiated from this button. To support a supervised normally open mode as the idle mode, the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800can be configured to output an open circuit voltage and short circuit voltages on the output side depending on the voltage on the input side of the electrical voltage measuring circuit800(e.g., input voltage). The open circuit voltage corresponds to an input voltage falling within a first range that is associated with the idle mode. The short circuit voltages correspond to input voltages falling within a second range or third range, where these two ranges are associated with the disconnected mode and the assistance request mode. In an example, the first range is between 5 VDC and 7 VDC, the second range is larger than 7 VDC (e.g., between 7 VDC and 12 VDC), and the third range is less than 5 VDC (e.g., between 0 VDC and 5 VDC).

If the input voltage is in the first range, the output voltage corresponds to an open circuit indicating that the assistance request button is connected, but not pressed. If the input voltage is in the second range, the output voltage corresponds to a short circuit indicating that the assistance request button is disconnected. If the input voltage is in the third range, the output voltage corresponds to another short circuit indicating that the assistance request button is connected and pressed.

In an example, an assistance request button is implemented as an electrical switch in parallel with an electrical resistor (e.g., a one kiloohm resistor). This circuit of the assistance request button can be coupled with two data pins of the PED connector (shown inFIG.8as pins J4-2 and J4-3, where “J4” represents this connector) that in turn are connected to the input side of the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800. The output side of the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800is connected to at least two pins of the nurse call system connector (shown inFIG.8as pins J1-25 and J1-26, where “J1” represents this connector).

The J4-2 pin is connected to the 0 VDC line via a first electrical resistor (e.g., a hundred ohm resistor) of the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800. The J4-3 pin is connected to the 12 VDC line via a second electrical resistor (e.g., a hundred kiloohm resistor) of the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800. The second electrical resistor is also connected to an input side of a loop detect circuit. This loop detect circuit is connected to the 12 VDC and 0 VDC lines. An output side of the loop detect circuit is connected to a relay contact that can be implemented as an inductor in parallel with a Zener diode, both of which may also be connected to the 12 VDC line. In turn, the relay contact is coupled with the J1-25 and J1-26 pins of the nurse call system connector.

An open circuit typically exists between the J1-25 and J1-26 pins. If the voltage measured by the loop detection circuit on its input side is in the first range, the relay contact does not change the connection between the J1-25 and J1-26 pins. Hence, an open circuit between these two pins can be interpreted as the DPA being operated in the idle mode. In comparison, if the voltage measured by the loop detection circuit on its input side is in the second or third range, the relay contact changes the connection between the J1-25 and J1-26 pins to create a short circuit between these two pins. If the short circuit is steady (e.g., is created for a period of time longer than a predefined time threshold, such as five seconds), the steadiness of the short circuit can be interpreted as a cord disconnect. If the short circuit is momentary (e.g., is detected for a period of time shorter than the predefined time threshold), the momentariness of the short circuit can be interpreted as a call request.

As further illustrated inFIG.8, a first electrical switch can be connected to the J1-25 and J1-26 pins. This electrical switch is an example of the first electrical switch282ofFIG.2and can be operated to create an open circuit between these two pins when a short circuit exists. In this way, the electrical switch can disengage the two pins to prevent a cord out alarm.

In addition, a second electrical switch can be connected to other pins of the nurse call system connector (e.g., to the J1-10 and J1-11 pins of this connector). This electrical switch is an example of the second electrical switch284ofFIG.2and can be operated to create a short circuit between these two pins when an open circuit exists (this open circuit corresponds to a bed being disconnected from the hospital bed connector of the DPA). In this way, the electrical switch can disengage the two pins to also prevent a cord out alarm.

Other configurations of the electrical voltage monitoring circuit800are possible. For example, a second relay contact can be connected to the loop detection circuit on its output side. In this configuration, the first relay contact can be used to short the J1-25 and J1-26 pins in case of an assistance call request. The second relay contact can be used to short the J1-10 and J1-11 pins in case of a disconnection of the PED holder.

In other variations, the hospital bed connector and the nurse call system connector can include pins dedicated for bed status data. The PED connector can include additional data pins connected to these dedicated pins. When coupled with a PED, the additional data pins are usable to provide the bed status data to the PED.

FIG.9illustrates connections to a light source900, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In a first example, the light source900indicates whether power is available to a PED through a PED connector, similarly to the first light source292ofFIG.2. In this example, the light source900is implemented as a light emitting diode (LED) connected on a first end to a first point on the 12 VDC line and on a second end to an electrical resistor (e.g., a one kiloohm resistor) that in turn is connected to the 0 VDC line. The first connection point can be along an electrical connection to a 12 VDC pin of a power input connector or to a 12 VDC pin of the PED connector.

In a second example, the light source900indicates whether a bed is disconnected (e.g., whether a bed connector is decoupled from the DPA), similarly to the second light source294ofFIG.2. In this example, the light source900is implemented as an LED electrically coupled on a first end to a pin of a hospital bed connector and on a second end to an electrical resistor (e.g., a one kiloohm resistor) that in turn is connected to the 0 VDC line.

In a third example, the light source900indicates whether an assistance request to a nurse call system can be initiated from an assistance request button of a PED, a PED holder, and/or a cable coupling the PED holder or PED with the DPA, similarly to the third light source296ofFIG.2. In this example, the light source900is implemented as an LED connected on a first end to an output side of a loop detection circuit of an electrical voltage measurement circuit, similar to the circuit800ofFIG.8, and on a second end to an electrical resistor (e.g., a one kiloohm resistor) that in turn is connected to a second point on the 0 VDC line. In addition, the light source can include hardware and/or software logic (e.g., a microprocessor, a field-programmable gate array, and/or another electric circuit) to change an emission property of the LED based on the operational state of the DPA. For instance, if the voltage across the light source900falls within a first range corresponding to the idle mode, the emission property is set to a particular configuration (e.g., a green light is emitted). If the voltage across the light source900falls within a second range or a third range corresponding to the disconnected mode and assistance request mode, respectively, the emission property is changed to the relevant configuration (e.g., a red light is emitted for the disconnected mode and a blue light is emitted for the assistance request mode).

FIG.10illustrates a power and data cable1000that can be connected to a data and power adapter and a PED, such as the DPA150and the PED122, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In an example, the power and data cable1000is a single cable that carries power and data. In this example, the single cable can include a first set of wires for carrying power and a separate, second set of wires for carrying data. Alternatively, the single cable can include a set of wires that carries both power and data. In this example, a same wire can be used simultaneously for power and data. In this example also, only a subset of the wires can be simultaneously for power and data, whereas a remaining subset of the wires can be dedicated to power or data. In an illustration, the single cable is a POE cable, where the power and data is carried according to a POE protocol.

In the illustration ofFIG.3, the power and data cable1000includes a first portion1002, a second portion1004, a third portion1006, a first connector1010, a second connector1020, and a third connector1040. Each of the portions1002-1006includes one or more sets of wires, as discussed above, and mates with one of the connectors1010-1030. In particular, the wires of the first portion1002are mated with and end at the first connector1010. The second portion1004branches off from the first portion1002and/or the third portion1006, and the wires of the second portion1004are mated with and end at the second connector1020. The third portion1006is opposite to the first portion1002and the wires of the third portion1006are mated with and end at the third connector1030.

The first connector1010can be a plug connector and/or a female receptacle that can be connected with a bed system or a bed connector. Power and/or data, including an assistance request signal, can be supplied to and/or received from the bed system via the first connector1010. For instance, the first connector1010is a thirty-seven pins connector. The second connector1020can be a plug connector and/or a female receptacle that can be connected with the PED or a PED holder that holds the PED. Power and/or data can be supplied to and/or received from the PED via the second connector1020. For instance, the second connector1020is a USB connector or a lightning connector. The third connector1030can be a plug connector and/or a female receptacle that can be connected with the power and data adapter. Power and/or data, including an assistance request signal, can be supplied to and/or received from the power and adapter via the third connector1030. For instance, the third connector1030is a thirty-seven pins connector. Other variations to the connectors1010-1030are possible. For instance, any of the connectors1010-1030can be an electrical connector, a magnetic connector, and/or a fiber connector that that can be coupled, via one or more wired connections, with the relevant client (e.g., bed system, bed connector, PED, PED holder, and power and data adapter as applicable). Additionally or alternatively, any of the connectors1010-1030an be a radio frequency connector and/or an optical connector (e.g., a network interface) that can be coupled, via one or more wireless connections, with the relevant client.

The power and data cable1000can include additional components. For instance, one or more assistance request buttons can be included in one or more of the portions1002-1006. In addition, the power and data cable1000can include one or magnetic connectors within any of the portions1002-1006. A magnetic connector included in the power and data cable1000can couple the connectors1010-1030.