Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, operating tables, recliners, or the like. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to patient support apparatuses that include user interfaces for controlling one or more components or systems of the patient support apparatus.

Conventional patient support apparatuses comprise a base, a litter frame, a support deck on the litter frame upon which the patient is supported, a lift system for lifting and lowering the support deck relative to the base, and an articulation system for articulating one or more sections of the support deck. Control of these and other systems of the patient support apparatus is performed via a user interface provided on a footboard or on one or more of the side rails of the patient support apparatus.

An example of such patient support apparatus is disclosed in US <CIT>.

Often, operation of the user interface is complex, making the user interface difficult to operate.

According to various embodiments, an improved patient support apparatus is provided that includes a touchscreen user interface. In its various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a patient support apparatus having a user interface that is easy to navigate via a touchscreen. In some embodiments, information and/or controls automatically appear when helpful and/or necessary, saving space on the touchscreen until the information or controls are needed by the user, and also providing a streamlined user experience. The need to navigate manually between different screens in order to accomplish a desired task is also reduced, thereby reducing the effort needed to accomplish the desired task and the chances of becoming lost and/or sidetracked when navigating through the various screens of the user interface. These and/or other features are disclosed in the various embodiments discussed herein.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a litter frame, a support deck, an actuator adapted to move a component of the patient support apparatus, a sensor adapted to detect a configuration of the component, a touchscreen, and a controller configured to receive readings from the sensor. The controller is configured to generate a first control screen and a second control screen, wherein the first control screen includes a first control icon for controlling the component and the second control screen includes a second control icon for controlling a function. In response to a user selecting the second control icon, the controller is configured to determine if a current configuration of the component is in an acceptable state or an unacceptable state for carrying out the function. If the controller determines the component is currently in the unacceptable state, the controller is further configured to display a third control icon that allows the user to move the component to the acceptable state without accessing the first control screen.

According to some embodiments, the function is at least one of: weighing a patient supported on the support deck, turning a patient supported on the support deck, or lateral rotation of a patient supported on the support deck. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to prevent the function if the component is in the unacceptable state and permit the function if the component is in an acceptable state.

In at least one embodiment, the third control icon comprises a one-touch input control for moving the component to the acceptable state.

The controller is further configured, in at least some embodiments, to display the third control icon in a pop-up window, wherein second control screen is at least partially visible behind the pop-up window, or to display the third control icon on a third control screen, different from the first and second control screens.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a litter frame, a support deck, a touchscreen, and a controller. The controller is configured to display a first screen at the touchscreen, the first screen including a first icon and a help icon. The controller is further configured to display an explanation overlay at the touchscreen in response to user-selection of the help icon. The explanation overlay comprises text explaining the first icon and is partially transparent such that the first screen is at least partially visible under the explanation overlay while the controller is displaying the explanation overlay.

In some embodiments, the first icon controls a component or a function of the patient support apparatus, and the controller is configured to disable the first icon if the explanation overlay is displayed at the touchscreen.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to overlay the text explaining the first icon on the first icon.

In some embodiments, the first screen comprises an additional icon, and the explanation overlay comprises text explaining the additional icon that is simultaneously displayed with the text explaining the first icon.

The first screen is a bed monitor screen in at least some embodiments, including a control for arming a bed monitoring function, the bed monitor function adapted to monitor a selected state of a component of the patient support apparatus and to generate an alert if the component changes out of the selected state.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a litter frame, a support deck, a touchscreen, and a controller. The controller is configured to display a first screen including a first icon and a first help icon, a first explanation overlay including a second help icon and first information explaining the first icon, and a second explanation overlay including second information explaining the first icon. The controller is operable to display the first explanation overlay in response to selection of the first help icon and to display the second explanation overlay in response to selection of the second help icon.

According to some embodiments, the second explanation overlay includes a third help icon, and the controller is operable to display a third explanation overlay in response to selection of the second help icon.

In some embodiments, the first information comprises first text explaining the first icon, and the second information comprises second text, different from the first text, explaining the first icon.

At least one of the first explanation overlay or the second explanation overlay is partially transparent in some embodiments, such that the first screen is at least partially visible under the at least one of the first explanation overlay or the second explanation overlay while the controller is displaying the at least one of the first explanation overlay or the second explanation overlay.

In some embodiments, the first icon controls a component or a function of the patient support apparatus, and the controller is configured to disable the first icon if either the first explanation overlay or the second explanation overlay is displayed on the touchscreen.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a litter frame, a support deck, a touchscreen, and a controller. The controller is configured to display a settings screen, a first screen, a first explanation overlay, and a second explanation overlay. The settings screen includes input controls for selecting a user expertise level from at least a first user expertise level and a second user expertise level. The first screen includes a first icon and a help icon. The first explanation overlay includes first information explaining the first icon. The second explanation overlay includes second information, different that the first information, explaining the first icon. After selection of the first user expertise level, the controller displays the first explanation overlay in response to selection of the help icon and does not display the second explanation overlay. After selection of the second user expertise level, the controller displays the second explanation overlay in response to selection of the help icon and does not display the first explanation overlay.

According to some embodiments, the first and second explanation overlays are partially transparent such that the first screen is at least partially visible under the first or second explanation overlay while the controller is displaying the first or second explanation overlay.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to disable the first screen if either the first explanation overlay or the second explanation overlay is displayed on the touchscreen.

In some embodiments, the first information comprises first text explaining the first icon and the second information comprises second text, different from the first text, explaining the first icon.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus is provided that includes a litter frame, a support deck, an actuator adapted to move the litter frame or support deck, a sensor adapted to detect a position of the litter frame or support deck, a touchscreen, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive readings from the sensor and to generate a numeric indicator representative of the position of the litter frame or support deck based on the readings. The controller is operable to display a control screen on the touchscreen including a control icon for controlling the actuator, and is further configured to change a content of the control screen from a first content level to a second content level in response to the user pressing the control icon, where the first content level includes no display of the numeric indicator and the second content level includes a display of the numeric indicator. The controller is further configured to dynamically update the numeric indicator displayed at the second content level in response to the actuator moving the litter frame or support deck.

According to some embodiments, the controller is further configured to change the content of the control screen from the second content level back to the first content level in response to the user releasing the control icon or after a predefined time period of no user input at the control icon.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to change the content of the control screen from the first content level to the second content level by moving a portion of the control screen. The movement can be animated.

The control screen comprises, in some embodiments, multiple control icons and the second content level comprises multiple numeric indicators, wherein the controller is further configured to dynamically update the multiple numeric indicators displayed at the second content level in response to the user pressing one of the multiple control icons. Such dynamic updating may be continuous or intermittent.

An illustrative patient support apparatus <NUM> that may incorporate one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown in <FIG>. Although the particular form of patient support apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a bed adapted for use in a hospital or other medical setting, it will be understood that patient support apparatus <NUM> could, in different embodiments, be a cot, a stretcher, a gurney, a recliner, or any other structure capable of supporting a patient that may be used during times when the patient is not accompanied by a caregiver. For purposes of the following written description, patient support apparatus <NUM> will be described as a bed with the understanding the following written description applies to these other types of patient support apparatuses.

In general, patient support apparatus <NUM> provides support for the patient and comprises a base <NUM> and a litter frame <NUM>. The patient support apparatus <NUM> also comprises a support deck <NUM> supported on the litter frame <NUM>. Support deck <NUM> is made of a plurality of sections, some of which are pivotable about generally horizontal pivot axes relative to the litter frame <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, support deck <NUM> includes a head section <NUM>, a seat section <NUM>, a thigh section <NUM>, and a foot section <NUM>. Head section <NUM>, which is also sometimes referred to as a Fowler section, is pivotable about a generally horizontal pivot axis between a generally horizontal orientation (not shown in <FIG>) and a plurality of raised positions (one of which is shown in <FIG>). Thigh section <NUM> and foot section <NUM> may also be pivotable about generally horizontal pivot axes. The support deck <NUM> provides a mattress support surface <NUM> upon which the patient is supported.

The deck sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are pivotally coupled together by pivot pins, shafts, and the like at pivot joints (not shown) between adjacent deck sections. Additionally, other types of connections are possible between the deck sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> so that the deck sections are capable of moving, e.g., articulating, relative to one another. For instance, in some cases, translational joints may be provided between adjacent deck sections, or other compound movement connections may be provided between adjacent deck sections, such as joints that allow both pivotal and translational motion between adjacent deck sections. Further, in other cases, the head section <NUM> and the thigh section <NUM> may be pivotally (or otherwise) connected directly to the litter frame <NUM> instead of the seat section <NUM>.

A mattress <NUM> is disposed on the support deck <NUM> during use. The mattress <NUM> provides a patient support surface <NUM> upon which the patient is supported. The base <NUM>, litter frame <NUM>, support deck <NUM>, and patient support surface <NUM> each have a head end and a foot end corresponding to a designated placement of the patient's head and feet on the patient support apparatus <NUM>. The base <NUM> comprises a longitudinal axis L1 along its length from the head end to the foot end. The base <NUM> also comprises a vertical axis V arranged crosswise (e.g., perpendicularly) to the longitudinal axis L1 along which the litter frame <NUM> is lifted and lowered relative to the base <NUM>.

Patient barriers, such as side rails <NUM> are coupled to the litter frame <NUM> and/or support deck <NUM> and are thereby supported by the base <NUM>. Side rails <NUM> are all shown in a raised position in <FIG> but are each individually movable to a lower position in which ingress into, and egress out of, patient support apparatus <NUM> is not obstructed by the lowered side rails <NUM>. In some embodiments, side rails <NUM> may be moved to one or more intermediate positions as well.

A headboard assembly <NUM> and a footboard <NUM> are coupled to the litter frame <NUM>. Both the headboard assembly <NUM> and the footboard <NUM> are removably mounted on the litter frame <NUM>. The headboard assembly <NUM> is coupled to the head section <NUM> in certain embodiments described further below, but in other embodiments may be coupled to the litter frame <NUM>.

Handles <NUM> are provided on the side rails <NUM> and footboard <NUM> to facilitate movement of the patient support apparatus <NUM> over a floor surface, to move the side rails <NUM>, and the like. Additional handles may be provided on other components of the patient support apparatus <NUM>.

Wheels <NUM> are coupled to the base <NUM> to facilitate transport over a floor surface. The wheels <NUM> are arranged in each of four quadrants of the base <NUM> adjacent to corners of the base <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the wheels <NUM> are caster wheels able to rotate and swivel relative to the base <NUM> during transport. In some cases, the patient support apparatus <NUM> may not include any wheels.

Patient support apparatus <NUM> further includes a plurality of user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that enable a user of patient support apparatus <NUM>, such as a patient and/or an associated caregiver, to control one or more aspects of patient support apparatus <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, patient support apparatus <NUM> includes a pair of inner side rail user interfaces <NUM> (only one of which is visible), a pair of outer side rail user interfaces <NUM> (only one of which is visible), and a footboard user interface <NUM>. Footboard user interface <NUM> and outer side rail user interfaces <NUM> are intended to be used by caregivers, or other authorized personnel, while inner side rail user interfaces <NUM> are intended to be used by the patient associated with patient support apparatus <NUM>. Not all of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include the same controls and/or functionality. In the illustrated embodiment, footboard user interface <NUM> includes a substantially complete set of controls for controlling patient support apparatus <NUM> while user interfaces <NUM> and <NUM> include a selected subset of those controls.

The mechanical construction of those aspects of patient support apparatus <NUM> not explicitly described herein may be the same as, or nearly the same as, the mechanical construction of the Model <NUM> S3 bed manufactured and sold by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Michigan. This mechanical construction is described in greater detail in the Stryker Maintenance Manual for the MedSurg Bed, Model <NUM> S3, published in <NUM> by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that those aspects of patient support apparatus <NUM> not explicitly described herein can alternatively be designed with other types of mechanical constructions, such as, but not limited to, those described in commonly assigned, <CIT>, and entitled HOSPITAL BED; and/or commonly assigned <CIT> and entitled PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE INCLUDING LOCAL STATUS INDICATION, ONE-TOUCH FOWLER ANGLE ADJUSTMENT, AND POWER-ON ALARM CONFIGURATION. The mechanical construction of those aspects of patient support apparatus <NUM> not explicitly described herein may also take on forms different from what is disclosed in the aforementioned references.

Referring additionally to <FIG>, the patient support apparatus <NUM> includes a control system <NUM> provided to control operation of various components of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. The control system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> having one or more microprocessors <NUM> for processing instructions or for processing an algorithm stored in a memory <NUM> accessible to controller <NUM> to control operation of the various components.

Controller <NUM> is constructed of any electrical component, or group of electrical components, that are capable of carrying out the functions described herein. In many embodiments, controller <NUM> is a conventional microcontroller, although not all such embodiments need include a microcontroller. In general, controller <NUM> includes any one or more of microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays, systems on a chip, volatile or nonvolatile memory, discrete circuitry, and/or other hardware, software, or firmware that is capable of carrying out the functions described herein, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such components can be physically configured in any suitable manner, such as by mounting them to one or more circuit boards, or arranging them in other manners, whether combined into a single unit or distributed across multiple units. The instructions followed by controller <NUM> in carrying out the functions described herein, as well as the data necessary for carrying out these functions, are stored in memory <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> is in communication with footboard user interface <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Controller <NUM> also communicates with the user interfaces <NUM> and <NUM> that are positioned on patient support apparatus <NUM>, although these are not shown in <FIG> for purposes of clarity. Footboard user interface <NUM> includes a display <NUM> and a plurality of controls <NUM>. Display <NUM> is a touchscreen, although it will be understood that a non-touch screen display may be used (in an embodiment not part of the invention). The touchscreen <NUM> can be a multi-touch screen display capable of recognizing more than one point of contact. Controls <NUM> are shown in <FIG> as touch sensitive controls that may be physically implemented in a variety of different manners. In some embodiments, controls <NUM> are implemented as capacitive sensors positioned adjacent touchscreen <NUM> that capacitively detect when a user presses them. In other embodiments, controls <NUM> are implemented as buttons, switches, or other types of force or touch-sensitive device. In still other embodiments, one or more of controls <NUM> may be incorporated into touchscreen <NUM>. Still other variations are possible.

The patient support apparatus <NUM> further comprises a lift system <NUM> that operates to lift and lower the litter frame <NUM>, and thereby the support deck <NUM>, relative to the base <NUM>. The particular structural details of lift system <NUM> can vary widely. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, lift system <NUM> includes lift actuators <NUM> configured to move the litter frame <NUM> to any desired position, including tilting the litter frame <NUM> with respect to the base <NUM>, and one or more lift sensor(s) <NUM> configured to the height and/or the angle of the litter frame <NUM>. The lift actuators <NUM> can be operated independently, i.e. so that the head end and foot end of litter frame <NUM> can be independently adjusted, to place the litter frame <NUM> a flat position, a Trendelenburg position, or a reverse Trendelenburg position. Patient support apparatus <NUM> is designed so that when an occupant lies thereon, his or her head will be positioned adjacent the head end and his or her feet will be positioned adjacent the foot end. The lift actuators <NUM> may include hydraulic actuators, electric actuators, or any other suitable device for raising and lowering litter frame <NUM> with respect to base <NUM>. Lift sensor(s) <NUM> may include any suitable sensor for detecting the height and/or angle of the litter frame <NUM> with respect to base <NUM>. One exemplary lift system <NUM> is described in <CIT>, entitled "Lift Assembly for Patient Support Apparatus".

Other types of lift systems can also be used, such as those described in <CIT>, entitled "Patient Support Lift Assembly".

The controller <NUM> processes instructions or an algorithm stored in memory to control operation of the lift actuator(s) <NUM> and coordinate movement of the lift actuator(s) <NUM> to move the litter frame <NUM>, including lifting, lowering, or tilting the litter frame <NUM>.

The patient support apparatus <NUM> further comprises an articulation system <NUM> that articulates the deck sections <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>. The particular structural details of articulation system <NUM> can vary widely. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, articulation system <NUM> includes at least one head section actuator <NUM>, at least one thigh section actuator <NUM>, and at least one foot section actuator <NUM> capable of moving, i.e. pivoting or articulating, the head section <NUM>, thigh section <NUM>, and foot section <NUM>, respectively, relative to one other and relative to the seat section <NUM>, which is stationary or fixed in the current embodiment. The deck section actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be linear actuators, rotary actuators, or other type of actuators capable of moving the head section <NUM>, thigh section <NUM>, and foot section <NUM>. The deck section actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be electrically powered, hydraulic, electrohydraulic, pneumatic, or the like. The articulation system <NUM> further includes one or more position sensor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured to detect a configuration of the support deck <NUM>, including the position or angle of each of the head section <NUM>, thigh section <NUM>, and foot section <NUM>. Position sensor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include tilt sensors or potentiometers for sensing an angular position of the associated deck section <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or any other suitable sensor for detecting the position or angle of the deck sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. One exemplary articulation system <NUM> is described in <CIT>, entitled "Hospital Patient Support".

The controller <NUM> processes instructions or an algorithm stored in memory to control operation of the deck section actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and coordinate movement of the deck section actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to move one or more of the deck sections.

The patient support apparatus <NUM> further comprises a scale system <NUM> that that is adapted to weigh an occupant, such as, but not limited to, a patient, of patient support apparatus <NUM>. The particular structural details of scale system <NUM> can vary widely. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, scale system <NUM> includes one or more force sensor(s) <NUM> such as, but not limited to, load cells, linear variable displacement transducers and/or any one or more capacitive, inductive, and/or resistive transducers that are configured to produce a changing output in response to changes in the force exerted against them. Still other types of forces sensors may be used with patient support apparatus <NUM>. Force sensor(s) <NUM> are configured to detect the weight of any objects or persons who are wholly or partially being supported by support deck <NUM>. The outputs of force sensor(s) <NUM> are processed by controller <NUM> and selectively displayed as a patient weight by the touchscreen <NUM> a discussed in greater detail below. One exemplary scale system <NUM> is described in <CIT>, entitled "Person Support Apparatus with Load Cells".

The patient support apparatus <NUM> further comprises a side rail system <NUM> that operates to lift and lower the side rails <NUM> relative to the litter frame <NUM> and/or support deck <NUM>. The particular structural details of side rail system <NUM> can vary widely. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, side rail system <NUM> includes side rail actuators <NUM> and side rail position sensor(s) <NUM> for each side rail. Side rail actuators <NUM> are configured to move one of the side rails <NUM> to at least a raised position shown in <FIG> and a lower position (not shown), and optionally one or more intermediate positions as well. The side rail actuators <NUM> may include hydraulic actuators, electric actuators, or any other suitable device for raising and lowering individual side rails <NUM>. Side rail position sensor(s) <NUM> are configured to detect the current position of the side rails <NUM>. The outputs of side rail position sensor(s) <NUM> are processed by controller <NUM> and selectively displayed as a side rail positon by the touchscreen <NUM> a discussed in greater detail below. The controller <NUM> processes instructions or an algorithm stored in memory to control operation of the side rail actuators <NUM> and coordinate movement of the actuators <NUM> to move one or more of the side rails <NUM>.

The mattress <NUM> includes a mattress controller <NUM> used in controlling one or more functions of the mattress. Mattress functions include at least lateral rotation therapy and turn assist. Optionally, additional mattress functions include one or more of the following: an alternating pressure therapy, a percussion therapy, a vibration therapy, and a low airloss therapy. The particular structural details of mattress <NUM> can vary widely. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, mattress <NUM> includes a pneumatic system having one or more bladders <NUM> and at least one blower <NUM> for inflating and deflating one or more of the bladders <NUM>. One exemplary mattress <NUM> that may be used with the patient support apparatus <NUM> is described in <CIT>, entitled "Patient Support".

In lateral rotation therapy, sometimes referred to as continuous lateral rotation therapy or simply rotation therapy, a patient supported on the mattress <NUM> is rotated side to side in an effort to reduce pulmonary complications of immobility. For turn assist, a patient supported on the mattress <NUM> is turned or rotated laterally to one side for a period of time to help reposition the patient, such as to prevent bed sores.

<FIG> illustrates in more detail one manner in which user interface <NUM> (or another user interface <NUM> or <NUM> on patient support apparatus <NUM>) is implemented. User interface <NUM> includes a screen <NUM> displayed on the touchscreen <NUM> having a plurality of touchscreen controls <NUM>, and a plurality of non-touchscreen controls <NUM> that are positioned adjacent to touchscreen <NUM>. The touchscreen controls <NUM> may perform a variety of different functions, and the number, function, lay-out, size, and/or other characteristics of these controls may vary from what is shown in <FIG>, and may also vary depending upon what screen <NUM> is being displayed at a given time by touchscreen <NUM>. Some non-limiting examples of screens <NUM> and touchscreen controls <NUM> are provided in the <FIG>.

In the particular example of <FIG>, the non-touchscreen controls <NUM> include a bed alarm control <NUM>, a bed monitor control <NUM>, a settings control <NUM>, a scale control <NUM>, a position control <NUM>, and a locks control <NUM>, although it will be understood that in different embodiments, any of these controls could be implemented as a touchscreen control <NUM>. The bed alarm control <NUM> is used to activate and deactivate an exit detection system of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. One exemplary exit detection system is described in <CIT>, entitled "Patient Exit Detection Mechanism for Hospital Bed".

The bed monitor control <NUM> is used to control a bed monitor system of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, such as to activate and deactivate the bed monitor system or change one or more settings of the bed monitor system, as explained in further detail below. One exemplary bed monitor system that may be incorporated into the patient support apparatus <NUM> is described in <CIT>, entitled "Patient Handling Device Including Local Status Indication, One-Touch Fowler Angle Adjustment, and Power-On Alarm Configuration".

The settings control <NUM> is used to change one or more settings of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, as described in further detail below. The scale control <NUM> is used to take a weight reading of an occupant of the patient support apparatus <NUM> using the scale system <NUM>, as described in further detail below. The position control <NUM> is used to change a configuration or position of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, such as changing the height or angle of the litter frame <NUM> using the lift system <NUM> or the configuration of the support deck <NUM> using the articulation system <NUM>, as described in further detail below. The locks control <NUM> is used to prevent the configuration or position of the patient support apparatus <NUM> from being changed at one of the other user interfaces <NUM> or <NUM>. That is, control of the lift system <NUM> and the articulation system <NUM> can be locked out from the other user interfaces <NUM> or <NUM>. User selection of any one of these controls <NUM>-<NUM> displays a different screen <NUM>, particular to the associated control, on the touchscreen <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a menu screen <NUM> displayed on the touchscreen <NUM>. Menu screen <NUM> may be displayed initially after the patient support apparatus <NUM> is powered on, or it may be displayed in response to a user navigating to it from another screen. It will be understood that the particular layout shown in <FIG> is only one of a large variety of different ways in which controller <NUM> may present a main menu screen. As can be seen in <FIG>, menu screen <NUM> includes a plurality of touchscreen controls, including at least a scale control <NUM>, a lateral rotation control <NUM>, a turn assist control <NUM>, a bed monitor control <NUM>, and a settings control <NUM>. User selection of any one of these controls <NUM>-<NUM> displays a different screen, particular to the associated control, on the touchscreen <NUM>, examples of which are given below. Additional touchscreen controls include a pressure control <NUM>, a bed alarm control <NUM>, a locks control <NUM>, a history control <NUM>, a night light control <NUM>, a service control <NUM>, and a help control <NUM>. User selection of any one of these controls <NUM>-<NUM> displays a different screen, particular to the associated control, on the touchscreen <NUM>. Examples of screens for controls <NUM>-<NUM> are not provided herein as they are not necessary for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Briefly, the bed alarm control <NUM> and locks control <NUM> are touchscreen duplicates of the non-touchscreen controls <NUM> and <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. The pressure control <NUM> displays a pressure redistribution screen (not shown) which includes control inputs for operating the mattress <NUM> in a pressure redistribution mode. The history control <NUM> displays a history screen (not shown) which includes historical information on the operation or maintenance of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. The night light control <NUM> displays a night light screen (not shown) which includes control inputs for a night light of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. The service control <NUM> displays a service screen (not shown) which includes information on service topics such as how to perform or request maintenance on the patient support apparatus <NUM>. The help control <NUM> displays a help screen (not shown) which includes information on help topics such as the use, operation, and functions of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. A cancel control <NUM> allows the user to return to a home screen or the previously displayed screen.

When the position control <NUM> on the user interface <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> displays position control screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>. The display of screen <NUM> may occur immediately after the position control <NUM> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of screen <NUM> includes at least one control icon for controlling the position of at least one component of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, such as one or more of the litter frame <NUM> or the support deck <NUM>. As shown herein, the display screen <NUM> includes a control icon <NUM> for raising the head section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>, a control icon <NUM> for lowering the head section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>, a control icon <NUM> for raising the foot section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>, a control icon <NUM> for lowering the foot section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>, a control icon <NUM> for raising the litter frame <NUM>, a control icon <NUM> for lowering the litter frame <NUM>, a one-touch control icon <NUM> for moving the support deck <NUM> to a flat position, a one-touch control icon <NUM> for moving the support deck to a Fowler's position, a one-touch control icon <NUM> for moving the support deck <NUM> to a Trendelenburg position, and a one-touch control icon <NUM> for moving the support deck <NUM> to a reverse Trendelenburg position. While not shown, individual controls for raising and lowering the thigh section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM> can be provided on screen <NUM>, as well as controls for raising the lowering the side rails <NUM>.

When first displayed, the screen <NUM> has a first content level as shown in <FIG>. The controller <NUM> is configured to change a content of the screen <NUM> from the first content level to a second content level, shown in <FIG>, in response to a user pressing one of the control icons <NUM>-<NUM>. When a user releases the control icons <NUM>-<NUM>, controller <NUM> changes the content level from the second content level of <FIG> back to the first content level of <FIG>. This change occurs instantaneously upon the user's release of the control icon <NUM>-<NUM> in some embodiments. In other embodiments, this change occurs after a predetermined time period has lapsed since the user released the control icon <NUM>-<NUM>, such as, but not limited to, after about three to five seconds.

The second content level includes at least one numeric indicator <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> (<FIG>). Outputs from the position sensor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) are processed by controller <NUM> to generate the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> representative of the positions of the litter frame <NUM> or support deck <NUM>. Specifically, numeric indicator <NUM> indicates the angle of the head section <NUM>, numeric indicator <NUM> indicates the angle of the foot section <NUM>, numeric indicator <NUM> indicates the height of the litter frame <NUM>, and numeric indicator <NUM> the angle of the littler frame <NUM>.

When user input to control the litter frame <NUM> or support deck <NUM> is received at screen <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to display the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The first content level (<FIG>) includes no display of the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> and the second content level (<FIG>) includes a display of the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM>. This may entail alternating or changing the content of the screen <NUM> to make room for the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> while keeping the same control icons <NUM>-<NUM> on the screen <NUM>, as the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> are not displayed prior to receiving user input at screen <NUM>. This saves space on the touchscreen <NUM> by not showing positional information until it is needed by the user. Also, by using an overlay where the input controls <NUM>-<NUM> are still accessible, the user is not dissociated from their current task by the display of numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is further configured to dynamically update one or more of the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> displayed at the second content level in response to one or more of the actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) moving the litter frame <NUM> or one of the deck sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>. For example, if the user presses either input control <NUM>, <NUM> for raising or lowering the head section <NUM>, controller <NUM> increases or decreases the corresponding numeric indicator <NUM> displayed on screen <NUM> in accordance with the received outputs from the head section position sensor <NUM>. Likewise, if the user presses either input control <NUM>, <NUM> for raising or lowering the foot section <NUM>, controller <NUM> increases or decreases the corresponding numeric indicator <NUM> displayed on screen <NUM> in accordance with the received outputs from foot section sensor <NUM>. And if user presses the either input control <NUM>, <NUM> for raising or lowering the litter frame <NUM>, controller <NUM> increases or decrease the corresponding numeric indicator <NUM> displayed on screen <NUM> in accordance with the received outputs from lift sensors <NUM>. If the user presses any of the one-touch input controls <NUM>-<NUM> for moving the support deck <NUM> to a predefined position, controller <NUM> dynamically updates multiple numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> on the screen <NUM> so that the indicators <NUM>-<NUM> have values that match the current position/angle of the various components of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. The user can also press multiple controls at once and the corresponding ones of indicators <NUM>-<NUM> will be dynamically updated by controller <NUM>.

Only those individual indicators <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to actuators that have changed position are updated by controller <NUM>. Thus, in some situations, only a single indicator <NUM> is updated (e.g. only indicator <NUM> is updated if only control <NUM> (or only control <NUM>) is pressed). In other situations, such as pressing control <NUM>, multiple actuators are simultaneously activated and multiple indicators <NUM>-<NUM> are updated at the same time by controller <NUM>. Regardless of whether one indicator <NUM>-<NUM> is being individually updated, or multiple indicators <NUM>-<NUM> are being simultaneously updated, in the typical, the updating of the indicators <NUM>-<NUM> occurs substantially in real time-that is, substantially simultaneously with the movement of the actuator(s). In other embodiments, there may be a delay between an actuator reaching a particular position and the indicator <NUM> being updated to reflect the new position.

The change between the first content level and the second content level can include replacing or overlaying a portion of the screen <NUM> with different content or moving a portion of the screen <NUM> to accommodate different content. Such movement can be smoothly animated. In one example, the animation includes a title header <NUM> on the screen <NUM> that is displayed as sliding smoothly upwardly to reveal the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM>. In another example, the animation includes the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> being displayed to smoothly slide downwardly over the title header <NUM>. In other examples, the movement may not be animated, but instead may simply show a discontinuous jump between an initial position and a final position (e.g. title header <NUM> is initially displayed in a lower position and then switched to being displayed in an upward location such that, in the new position, there is space for numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM>). In still other embodiments, one or more items on the display <NUM> may fade out in order to provide space for the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> and fade in after the actuator movement has stopped.

The controller <NUM> changes the content of the screen <NUM> back to the first content level (<FIG>) in response to the user releasing the control icon <NUM>-<NUM>. This change can happen immediately, or can happen after a predefined time period of no user input at the control icons <NUM>-<NUM>. The change back to the first content level includes replacing or overlaying a portion of the screen <NUM> with different content or moving a portion of the screen <NUM> to accommodate different content. Such movement can be animated. In one example, the animation includes the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> sliding upwardly to reveal title header <NUM>. In another example, the animation includes the title header <NUM> sliding downwardly over the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM>.

The title header <NUM> is but one example of a portion of the screen <NUM> that is changed to display the second content level. In other examples, the screen <NUM> includes other text or graphics which are replaced, overlaid, resized, or moved in order to display the second content level on the screen <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> can be configured to provide additional visual feedback to the user via screen <NUM>, such as changing a color of the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> when a minimum or maximum setting has been reached. Similarly, the numeric indicators <NUM>-<NUM> or the control icons <NUM>-<NUM> can be displayed in different colors when any of these control icons <NUM>-<NUM> are locked out (i.e. when changes to the position of the litter frame <NUM> or the deck sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are not permitted). Still further, in some embodiments, controller <NUM> is configured to display the controls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in a first color when they are not pressed, to switch to displaying whichever one (or ones) of them are pressed in a second and different color, and to switch to displaying whichever one (or ones) of them are pressed in a third color when their corresponding actuator has reached a maximum position. Thus, for example, Fowler up button <NUM> is displayed in a first color when it is not pressed. When a user presses it, controller <NUM> switches to displaying it in a second color. If the user continues to press it until the Fowler section reaches its maximum height, controller <NUM> will switch to displaying control <NUM> in a third color. Controller <NUM> will further switch back to displaying the control <NUM> in the first color after a user has stopped pressing it (or after a predetermined amount of time has passed after the cessation of pressing).

Still further, in some embodiments, controller <NUM> is configured to stop displaying any of controls <NUM>-<NUM> wherein the corresponding actuator has reached its maximum limit. For example, if the Fowler down control <NUM> is pressed (and controller <NUM> switches to displaying it in the second color), controller <NUM> will stop displaying control <NUM> after the Fowler has reached its lowermost limit (or alternatively it will display it in a third color until the user removes his or her finger from control <NUM>, at which point controller <NUM> then ceases to display control <NUM>). Thereafter, if the user presses Fowler up control <NUM> and raises the Fowler up again at least slightly, controller <NUM> resumes displaying down control <NUM> (because the Fowler section is thereafter capable of being moved down). In this manner, whenever an actuator has reached its limit and cannot be moved further in a certain direction, controller <NUM> removes the corresponding control <NUM>-<NUM> from the display that would otherwise cause the actuator to move further in the direction whose limit has been reached. As an alternative to completely removing the control <NUM>-<NUM> from the display, controller <NUM> can be configured to change the color (e.g. greying it out), size, shape, content, or other aspect of the control in order to indicate to the user that the actuator has reached its limit.

Turning to the scale feature, when the scale control <NUM> on the user interface <NUM> of <FIG> is selected or when the scale control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> displays scale screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>. The display of scale screen <NUM> may occur immediately after the scale control <NUM> or <NUM> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to scale screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of scale screen <NUM> includes an indicator <NUM> of the patient's weight, as determined by the scale system <NUM>, i.e. the force sensors <NUM>, and a save weight icon <NUM> used to store the patient's weight reading.

Upon selection of the scale control <NUM> or <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to take a weight reading. That is, some jurisdictions (e.g. Europe) have regulations in effect that dictate that medical weight readings are taken of a load while the load is supported on a level surface (see, e.g. the Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments (NAWI) Directive of the European Parliament (<NUM>/<NUM>/EU)). If the surface is not level, the weight reading is not acceptable as a valid weight reading. Accordingly, patient support apparatus <NUM> is configured to detect whether the litter frame <NUM> is level or not prior to taking a weight reading. That is, readings from position sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are fed to the controller <NUM> to determine whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to take a weight reading, i.e. that the litter frame <NUM> is level.

If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to take a weight reading, controller <NUM> enables the save weight icon <NUM> on scale screen <NUM>. If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is not properly positioned to take a weight reading, i.e. that the litter frame <NUM> is not level, the save weight icon <NUM> is disabled, thereby preventing the user from storing the patient's weight reading, and screen <NUM> is displayed, as shown in <FIG>. The screen <NUM> can be a pop-up window displayed over a portion of the scale screen <NUM>, such that the scale screen <NUM> is still partially visible behind the pop-up window, or screen <NUM> may replace the scale screen <NUM> entirely.

Alternatively, instead of displaying scale screen <NUM> first when the scale control <NUM> or <NUM> is selected, the controller <NUM> can first determine whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to save a weight reading prior to showing the scale screen <NUM>. If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is not properly positioned to save a weight reading, screen <NUM> is immediately displayed over a portion of the scale screen <NUM> or instead of the scale screen <NUM>, such that the full turn scale screen <NUM> is not completely visible until the litter frame <NUM> is level.

Screen <NUM> includes an error message <NUM> notifying the user of the error, i.e. that the apparatus <NUM> is in an unacceptable state for taking a weight reading, and an indicator <NUM> of the acceptable state, including text and/or graphics describing the acceptable state. Here, the indicator <NUM> lets the user know that the litter frame <NUM> must be in a level position to take a weight reading. Screen <NUM> also includes a control icon <NUM> that allows the user to move the litter frame <NUM> to the level position. This bypasses the need for the user to navigate to the position controls for the litter frame <NUM>, such as are found in screen <NUM> of <FIG>, and then back to the scale controls. The control icon <NUM> comprises a one-touch input control for moving the litter frame <NUM> to a level configuration acceptable for taking a weight reading. After pressing the control icon <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to activate the lift actuators <NUM> to move the apparatus <NUM> from its current configuration to the acceptable state for taking a weight reading, and the controller <NUM> displays scale screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>.

Screen <NUM> also includes a cancel icon <NUM> that allows the user to return to the scale screen <NUM> (<FIG>) without changing the state of the apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the cancel icon <NUM>, controller <NUM> can be configured to stop displaying screen <NUM> in response to a user touching the touchscreen <NUM> anywhere outside the boundaries of the screen <NUM> in those embodiments where the screen <NUM> is smaller than the display area of the touchscreen <NUM>.

Turning to the lateral rotation therapy feature, when the lateral rotation control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> displays therapy screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>. The display of therapy screen <NUM> may occur immediately after the lateral rotation control <NUM> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to therapy screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of therapy screen <NUM> includes one or more controls <NUM> for inputting a desired therapy program, including whether the patient is rotated both left and right, the number of turns per hour, and the hold time per rotation. A start control <NUM> is provided on therapy screen <NUM> for initiating lateral rotation therapy once a desired therapy program is set.

Upon selection of the start control <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform lateral rotation therapy prior to beginning the therapy program. Acceptable states for lateral rotation therapy can include: the height of the litter frame <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the litter frame <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the head section <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the thigh section <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the foot section <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; and/or one or more of the side rails <NUM> being in a predefined position (i.e. raised). For the embodiment discussed herein, the head section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM> must be within a predefined range of angles in order to perform lateral rotation therapy, although it is understood that the configuration of other components of the patient support apparatus <NUM> may also have acceptable and unacceptable states for lateral rotation therapy. In one example, the predefined range is more than <NUM> but less than <NUM> degrees with respect to either horizontal or with respect to a plane defined generally by litter frame <NUM>. Readings from the head section position sensor <NUM> are used as input by the controller <NUM> to determine whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform lateral rotation therapy.

If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform lateral rotation therapy, the therapy program begins when the user presses the start icon <NUM>. If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is not properly positioned to perform lateral rotation therapy, i.e. that head section <NUM> is < <NUM> or ≥ <NUM> degrees, screen <NUM> is displayed, as shown in <FIG>, in response to the user pressing the start icon <NUM>. When displaying screen <NUM>, the controller <NUM> prevents lateral rotation therapy from starting until the patient support apparatus <NUM> is moved to an acceptable state. The screen <NUM> can be a pop-up window displayed over a portion of the therapy screen <NUM>, such that the therapy screen <NUM> is still partially visible behind the pop-up window, or may replace the therapy screen <NUM> entirely.

Alternatively, instead of displaying therapy screen <NUM> first when the lateral rotation control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> can first determine whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform lateral rotation therapy prior to showing the therapy screen <NUM>. If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is not properly positioned to perform lateral rotation therapy, screen <NUM> is immediately displayed over a portion of the therapy screen <NUM> or instead of the therapy screen <NUM>, such that the full therapy screen <NUM> is not completely visible until the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned.

Screen <NUM> includes an error message <NUM> notifying the user of the error, i.e. that the apparatus <NUM> is in an unacceptable state for lateral rotation therapy, and an indicator <NUM> of the acceptable state, including text and/or graphics describing the acceptable state. Here, the indicator <NUM> lets the user know that the head section must be below <NUM> degrees for lateral rotation therapy. Controller <NUM> changes the indicator <NUM> displayed according to the current angle of the head section <NUM>. For example, if the apparatus <NUM> is currently in a Trendelenburg position, the indicator <NUM> lets the user know that the head section must be above <NUM> degrees for lateral rotation therapy. Screen <NUM> also includes an indicator <NUM> of the current state of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, including text and/or graphics describing the current state. Here, the indicator <NUM> includes a graphic representing the head section <NUM> and the current angle of the head section <NUM>.

Screen <NUM> also includes at least one control icon <NUM>, <NUM> that allows the user to move the head section <NUM> to the acceptable state. Control icon <NUM> is an input control for raising the head section <NUM> and control icon <NUM> is an input control for lowering the head section <NUM>. This bypasses the need for the user to navigate to the position controls for the head section <NUM>, such as are found in screen <NUM> of <FIG>, and then back to the lateral rotation controls of screen <NUM>.

After pressing either control icon <NUM>, <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to activate the head section actuator <NUM> to move the head section <NUM> according to the user input. The indicator <NUM> of the current state of the head section <NUM> dynamically updates as the head section <NUM> is moved, so that the head angle displayed in indicator <NUM> matches the current angle of head section <NUM>.

A start control <NUM> is provided on screen <NUM> for initiating lateral rotation therapy once the head section <NUM> reaches the acceptable state. The start control <NUM> is disabled by the controller <NUM> until the head section <NUM> is in the acceptable state. If the start control <NUM> is pressed prior to the head section <NUM> being in the acceptable state, the controller <NUM> may provide an additional notification to the user, such as a color change or a light flash at screen <NUM>, or an audible alert via a speaker on the user interface <NUM>. Alternatively, the start control <NUM> is not enabled until the head section <NUM> is in an acceptable state or the start control <NUM> is simply not provided at screen <NUM>. In the latter case, the controller <NUM> automatically returns to therapy screen <NUM> once the head section <NUM> reaches the acceptable state, and the user can select the start control <NUM> from therapy screen <NUM>. Screen <NUM> also includes a cancel icon <NUM> that allows the user to return to the therapy screen <NUM> (<FIG>) or the menu screen <NUM> (<FIG>) without changing the angle of the head section <NUM>. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the cancel icon <NUM>, touch input anywhere outside of the boundaries of screen <NUM> on the touchscreen <NUM> removes screen <NUM> in embodiments where screen <NUM> is smaller than the display area of the touchscreen <NUM>.

Turning to the turn assist feature, when the turn assist control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> displays turn assist screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>. The display of turn assist screen <NUM> may occur immediately after the turn assist control <NUM> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to turn assist screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of turn assist screen <NUM> includes one or more controls <NUM> for inputting a desired turn, including whether the patient is turned left or right, and the hold time per turn. A start control <NUM> is provided on turn assist screen <NUM> for initiating a turn once a desired turn program is set.

Upon selection of the start control <NUM>, the controller <NUM> determines whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform a turn to beginning the turn. Acceptable states for turn assist can include: the height of the litter frame <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the litter frame <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the head section <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the thigh section <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; the angle of the foot section <NUM> being within a predefined range or at a predefined value; and/or one or more of the side rails <NUM> being in a predefined position (i.e. raised). For the embodiment discussed herein, side rails <NUM> must be raised in order to perform a turn, although it is understood that the configuration of other components of the patient support apparatus <NUM> may also have acceptable and unacceptable states for performing a turn. Readings from the side rail sensors <NUM> are used as input by the controller <NUM> to determine whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform a turn.

If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform a turn, the turn begins in response to the user selecting start control <NUM>. If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is not properly positioned to perform a turn, i.e. that one or more of the side rails is lowered, screen <NUM> is displayed, as shown in <FIG>, in response to the user selecting start control <NUM>. The controller <NUM> prevents start control <NUM> from starting the turning function until the patient support apparatus <NUM> is in an acceptable state. Screen <NUM> can be a pop-up window displayed over a portion of the turn assist screen <NUM>, such that the turn assist screen <NUM> is still partially visible behind the pop-up window, or it may replace the turn assist screen <NUM> entirely.

Alternatively, instead of displaying turn assist screen <NUM> first when the turn assist control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> can first determine whether the patient support apparatus <NUM> is properly positioned to perform a turn prior to showing the turn assist screen <NUM>. If the controller <NUM> determines that the patient support apparatus <NUM> is not properly positioned to perform a turn, screen <NUM> is immediately displayed over a portion of the turn assist screen <NUM> or instead of the turn assist screen <NUM>, such that the full turn assist screen <NUM> is not completely visible until the side rails <NUM> are raised.

Screen <NUM> includes an error message <NUM> notifying the user of the error, i.e. that the apparatus <NUM> is in an unacceptable state for a turn, and an indicator <NUM> of the acceptable state, including text and/or graphics describing the acceptable state. Here, the indicator <NUM> lets the user know that the side rails <NUM> must be raised for turn assist. The controller <NUM> changes the indicator <NUM> displayed according to the current state of the patient support apparatus <NUM>. For example, if one particular side rail <NUM> is lowered, the indicator <NUM> lets the user know which side rail must be raised. Screen <NUM> also includes an indicator <NUM> of the current state of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, including text and/or graphics describing the current state. Here, the indicator <NUM> includes a graphic representing the patient support apparatus <NUM> with side rails <NUM>, and the current position of each side rail <NUM>.

Screen <NUM> also includes at least one control icon <NUM> that allows the user to move the side rails <NUM> to the acceptable state. Control icon <NUM> is an input control for raising the side rails <NUM> by activating one or more of the side rail actuators <NUM>. This bypasses the need for the user to navigate to the position controls for the side rails <NUM>, and then back to the turn assist controls. In some embodiments of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, side rail actuators <NUM> are not included so that the position of the side rails <NUM> must be changed manually. In such embodiments, control icon <NUM> is omitted.

After pressing the control icon <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to activate the necessary side rail actuators <NUM> as needed to move the side rails to the acceptable state for making an assisted turn. The indicator <NUM> of the current state of the side rails dynamically updates as one or more of the side rails <NUM> are raised, such as by changing a color of the side rail. A start control <NUM> is provided on screen <NUM> for initiating the turn once the side rails <NUM> reach the acceptable state. The start control <NUM> is disabled by the controller <NUM> until the side rails <NUM> are in the acceptable state. If the start control <NUM> is pressed prior to the side rails <NUM> being in the acceptable state, the controller <NUM> can provide an additional notification to the user, such as a color change or a light flash at screen <NUM>, or an audible alert via a speaker on the user interface <NUM>. Alternatively, the start control <NUM> is not provided at screen <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> automatically returns to turn assist screen <NUM> once the side rails <NUM> reach the acceptable state, and the user can select the start control <NUM> from turn assist screen <NUM>. Screen <NUM> also includes a cancel icon <NUM> that allows the user to return to the turn assist screen <NUM> (<FIG>) or the menu screen <NUM> (<FIG>) without changing the position of the side rails <NUM>. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the cancel icon <NUM>, touch input anywhere outside of the boundaries of screen <NUM> on the touchscreen <NUM> removes the screen <NUM> in embodiments where screen <NUM> is smaller than the display area of the touchscreen <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> provides several help functions via the touchscreen <NUM> that give the user direct access to help from at least some of the screens <NUM> displayed at the touchscreen <NUM>, rather than requiring the user to navigate back to the main screen <NUM> and through several other steps via the help control <NUM> in order to find a particular help topic. Instead, help directly related to the current screen <NUM> can be accessed directly from the screen <NUM> itself. In particular, controller <NUM> is configured to display a help icon <NUM> on at least some screens <NUM> displayed at the touchscreen <NUM>. Upon selection of the help icon <NUM> on the screen <NUM>, an explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed at the touchscreen <NUM>. The explanation overlay <NUM> includes text explaining the screen <NUM>, such as explaining one or more icons, controls, or indicators shown in the screen <NUM>. Advantageously, the explanation overlay <NUM> is partially transparent such that the screen <NUM> is at least partially visible under the explanation overlay <NUM> while the controller <NUM> is displaying the explanation overlay <NUM>. Thus, even when extra information is provided, the user is not dissociated from their current task.

The explanation overlay <NUM> can include another help icon <NUM>. Upon selection of the help icon <NUM> on the explanation overlay <NUM>, another explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed at the touchscreen <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Advantageously, the second explanation overlay <NUM> includes different information than the information provided by the first explanation overlay <NUM>, such as additional information or a more thorough explanation of the one or more icons, controls, or indicators shown in the screen <NUM>. The second explanation overlay <NUM> can include yet another help icon <NUM> to display yet another explanation overlay (not shown) at screen <NUM>. In this manner, multiple layers of help directly related to the current screen <NUM> displayed can be accessed via the touchscreen <NUM>.

One specific example of these help functions is shown in <FIG> with respect to the bed monitor system. Generally, the bed monitor system is used to monitor a selected state of at least one component of the patient support apparatus <NUM>, and to generate an alert if the component changes out of the selected state. The alert may be local to the patient support apparatus <NUM> (e.g. emitting a light and/or a sound from patient support apparatus <NUM>) or it may be remote (e.g. patient support apparatus <NUM> sends a message to a server, or other computer device (e.g. a smart phone), within the healthcare facility). In particular, the bed monitor system monitors one or more of the height or angular position of the litter frame <NUM> using readings from the lift sensor(s) <NUM>, the angular position of the head section <NUM> using sensor readings from the head section position sensor <NUM>, the angular position of the thigh section <NUM> using sensor readings from the thigh section position sensor <NUM>, the angular position of the foot section <NUM> using sensor readings from the foot section position sensor <NUM>, the position of the side rails <NUM> using readings from the side rail sensors <NUM>, the movement of an occupant of the patient support apparatus <NUM> using readings from the force sensors <NUM>, or the bed exit system.

When the bed monitor control <NUM> on the user interface <NUM> of <FIG> is selected or when the bed monitor control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> displays bed monitor screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>. The display of bed monitor screen <NUM> may occur immediately after the bed monitor control <NUM> or <NUM> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to bed monitor screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of bed monitor screen <NUM> includes an indicator <NUM> notifying the user of the current state of the bed monitor system, i.e. that the bed monitor function is turned on or off, as determined by the controller <NUM>, including text and/or graphics describing the current state. In <FIG>, the indicator <NUM> includes text indicating that the bed monitor function is currently on. Bed monitor screen <NUM> also includes a control icon <NUM> for changing the current state of the bed monitor system, i.e. for turning the bed monitor function on and off, including text and/or graphics describing the control. In <FIG>, because the bed monitor function is depicted as currently on, the control icon <NUM> includes text indicating that the control icon <NUM> can be used to turn the bed monitor function off.

Bed monitor screen <NUM> of <FIG> also includes multiple icons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for each of the components of the patient support apparatus <NUM> which can be monitored via the bed monitor system, including text, graphics, and/or colors indicating the component and its current state, including whether it is being monitored by the bed monitor system and whether it is currently in or out of its selected state or configuration.

Icon <NUM> includes a graphic <NUM> representing the height of the litter frame <NUM> and a control icon <NUM> for turning bed monitor on and off for the litter frame height. Icon <NUM> includes a graphic <NUM> representing each side rail <NUM> and a control icon <NUM> for turning bed monitor on and off for each side rail <NUM>. Icon <NUM> includes a graphic <NUM> representing the setting for the head angle, as determined by the head section <NUM> of the support deck <NUM>, which is shown herein as set for a <NUM> degree angle, and a control icon <NUM> for turning bed monitor on and off for the head angle. Icon <NUM> includes a graphic <NUM> representing the setting for the bed angle, as determined by the angle of the litter frame <NUM> and deck sections <NUM>-<NUM> and which is shown herein as set for a flat bed angle, and a control <NUM> for turning bed monitor on and off for the bed position.

A separate screen (not shown) can include controls for selecting the state of each of the components of the patient support apparatus <NUM> which are monitored via the bed monitor system. Alternatively screen <NUM> can include such controls.

The controller <NUM> is configured to provide visual feedback regarding which components are currently selected for monitoring via the bed monitor system, such as text, graphics, and/or colors indicating which components are currently being monitored. In <FIG>, the height of the litter frame <NUM> and the position of the upper side rails <NUM> is being monitored, and is indicated by showing the icons <NUM> and <NUM> in a different color than icons <NUM> and <NUM>.

Of the components currently being monitored, the controller <NUM> is further configured to provide a visual alert to notify the user which components are out of the selected state, such as by showing a particular graphic or changing a color of the associated icon on screen <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can also provide an audible alert via speaker on the user interface <NUM> or elsewhere on the apparatus <NUM>. The alerts are generated by the controller <NUM> based at least in part on readings from one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In <FIG>, the height of the litter frame <NUM> is out of the selected state, and icon <NUM> includes an alert graphic <NUM>. Also in <FIG>, the position of the upper side rails <NUM> is compliant or in the selected state, and icon <NUM> includes check graphics <NUM> indicating compliance for the upper side rails <NUM>.

Bed monitor screen <NUM> also includes a help icon <NUM>. Upon selection of the help icon <NUM>, an explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed, as shown in <FIG>. The explanation overlay <NUM> includes text explaining the bed monitor screen <NUM>, such as explaining one or more of the indicators <NUM>, controls <NUM>, and/or icons <NUM>-<NUM> shown in the screen <NUM>.

The explanation overlay <NUM> is partially transparent such that the screen <NUM> is at least partially visible under the explanation overlay <NUM> while the controller <NUM> is displaying the explanation overlay <NUM>. In <FIG>, at least a portion of the icons <NUM>-<NUM> are still partially visible under the explanation overlay <NUM>, which provides a visual association between the explanation and content on the screen <NUM>. Specifically, the explanation overlay <NUM> includes text overlaid on each of the icons <NUM>-<NUM> which explains the icons <NUM>-<NUM> it overlays, including text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the height of the litter frame <NUM>, text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the positional status of the side rails <NUM>, text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the head angle, and text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the bed angle. The explanation overlay <NUM> further includes text <NUM> explaining the general function of the bed monitor system.

While the explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed, the controller <NUM> disables one or more controls on the screen <NUM>. The explanation overlay <NUM> also includes a cancel icon <NUM> that removes the explanation overlay <NUM>. Upon user-selection of the cancel icon <NUM>, the controller <NUM> enables the screen <NUM>. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the cancel icon <NUM>, touch input anywhere outside of the boundaries of overlay <NUM> on the touchscreen <NUM> can remove the overlay <NUM> in cases where the overlay <NUM> is smaller than the display area of the touchscreen <NUM>.

The explanation overlay <NUM> further includes one or more additional help icons, including a general help icon <NUM> and multiple specific help icons <NUM>. Upon selection of the help icon <NUM> on the explanation overlay <NUM>, another explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed at the touchscreen <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Advantageously, the second explanation overlay <NUM> includes different information than the information provided by the first explanation overlay <NUM>, such as additional information or a more thorough explanation of one or more of the indicators <NUM>, controls <NUM>, and/or icons <NUM>-<NUM> shown in the screen <NUM>. The second explanation overlay <NUM> can include yet another help icon <NUM> to display yet another explanation overlay, one example of which is shown in <FIG>, with further information at screen <NUM>. In this manner, multiple layers of help directly related to the bed monitor screen <NUM> can be accessed via the touchscreen <NUM>.

The second explanation overlay <NUM> is partially transparent such that the screen <NUM> is at least partially visible under the explanation overlay <NUM> while the controller <NUM> is displaying the explanation overlay <NUM>. In <FIG>, at least a portion of the icons <NUM>-<NUM> are still partially visible under the explanation overlay <NUM>, which provides a visual association between the explanation and content on the screen <NUM>. Specifically, the explanation overlay <NUM> includes text overlaid on each of the icons <NUM>-<NUM> which explains the icons <NUM>-<NUM> it overlays, including text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the height of the litter frame <NUM>, text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the positional status of the side rails <NUM>, text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the head angle, and text <NUM> explaining the icon <NUM> relating to the bed angle.

The explanation overlay <NUM> further includes text <NUM> explaining the general function of the bed monitor system. In <FIG>, the text <NUM> explaining the general function of the bed monitor system differs from the text <NUM> shown in the first explanation overlay <NUM>. The text <NUM> includes additional information and a more thorough explanation of the bed monitor system.

Portions of the second explanation overlay <NUM> can be the same or substantially the same as that of the first explanation overlay <NUM>. In <FIG>, the text <NUM>-<NUM> relating to the specific components which can be monitored by the bed monitor system is the same as the text <NUM>-<NUM> of the first explanation overlay <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the text <NUM>-<NUM> can be different, and can include additional information and a more thorough explanation of the components which can be monitored by the bed monitor system.

Returning to <FIG>, upon selection of one of the specific help icons <NUM> on the explanation overlay <NUM>, another explanation overlay <NUM> specific to one of the components that can be monitored by the bed monitor system is displayed at the touchscreen <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Advantageously, the explanation overlay <NUM> includes different information than the information provided by the first explanation overlay <NUM>, such as specific detailed information on one of the icons <NUM>-<NUM> shown in the screen <NUM>. In this manner, specific help directly related to the components that can be monitored by the bed monitor system can be accessed via the touchscreen <NUM>. While not shown herein, the explanation overlay <NUM> can be partially transparent such that the screen <NUM> is at least partially visible under the explanation overlay <NUM> while the controller <NUM> is displaying the explanation overlay <NUM>.

The explanation overlay <NUM> includes text <NUM> explaining the general function of the bed monitor system for the selected component and a graphic <NUM> representing the selected component. In <FIG>, the text <NUM> explains the height setting of the bed monitor system, and includes additional information and a more thorough explanation that provided in the other explanation overlays <NUM>, <NUM>. The graphic <NUM> represents the litter frame height. The explanation overlay <NUM> can include yet another help icon (not shown) to display yet another explanation overlay with further information at screen <NUM>.

The explanation overlay <NUM> further includes a control icon <NUM> for changing selected state or configuration of the component. In <FIG>, the control icon <NUM> changes the selected low height setting for the litter frame <NUM>. While not shown herein, any of the other explanation overlays <NUM>, <NUM> can include one or more similar control icons as well.

While the explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed, the controller <NUM> disables one or more controls on the screen <NUM>. The explanation overlay <NUM> also includes a cancel icon <NUM> that removes the explanation overlay <NUM>. Upon user-selection of the cancel icon <NUM>, the controller <NUM> enables the controls on screen <NUM>. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the cancel icon <NUM>, touch input anywhere outside of the boundaries of overlay <NUM> on the touchscreen <NUM> can remove the overlay <NUM> in cases where the overlay <NUM> is smaller than the display area of the touchscreen <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, rather than requiring the user to navigate through multiple explanation overlays to reach a desired level of help, in some embodiments the user interface <NUM> is configured to allow a user to select a user expertise level via the touchscreen <NUM>, such that an explanation overlay configured for the selected user expertise level is displayed upon a the selection of a help icon.

When the settings control <NUM> on the user interface <NUM> of <FIG> is selected or when the settings control <NUM> on the menu screen <NUM> of <FIG> is selected, the controller <NUM> displays settings screen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, on touchscreen <NUM>. The display of settings screen <NUM> may occur immediately after the settings control <NUM> or <NUM> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to settings screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of settings screen <NUM> includes a plurality of touchscreen controls, including at least a help settings control <NUM>.

User selection of help settings control <NUM> displays help settings screen <NUM> on the touchscreen <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The display of help settings control <NUM> may occur immediately after the help settings control <NUM> of <FIG> is pressed, or there may be one or more intermediate controls/screens that need to be followed before getting to help settings screen <NUM>. However arrived at, the display of help settings screen <NUM> includes input controls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for selecting a user expertise level from at least a first user expertise level and a second user expertise level. In <FIG>, three user expertise levels can be selected, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced. An input control <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is provided for each expertise level, and selecting one of the input controls will deselect the other input controls.

The controller <NUM> can be configured to provide visual feedback regarding which user expertise level is currently selected, such as text, graphics, and/or colors on screen <NUM>. In <FIG>, the beginner level is selected, and is indicated by showing the input control <NUM> for the beginner level in a different graphic and color than for the other input controls <NUM>, <NUM>.

Upon selection of one of the user expertise levels on screen <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is configured to display an explanation overlay configured for the selected user expertise level upon the selection of a help icon. For example, with the input control <NUM> for the advanced level selected on screen <NUM> of <FIG>, upon the selection of help icon <NUM> on screen <NUM> of <FIG>, the displayed explanation overlay <NUM> is configured for an advanced level user who needs little explanation. If the input control <NUM> for the intermediate level is selected on screen <NUM> of <FIG>, upon the selection of help icon <NUM> on screen <NUM> of <FIG>, the controller <NUM> instead displays explanation overlay <NUM> (<FIG>) which has additional information and is configured for an intermediate level user. Explanation overlay <NUM> is displayed without requiring the user to navigate through the advanced level overlay <NUM> first.

In another example, with reference to <FIG>, upon selection of the help icon <NUM> on the bed monitor screen <NUM>, the controller <NUM> displays the first explanation overlay <NUM> (<FIG>) if the advanced level is selected and displays the second explanation overlay <NUM> (<FIG>) if the intermediate level is selected, and displays an even more detailed explanation overlay (not shown) if the beginner level is selected.

Screen <NUM> also includes a back icon <NUM> that allows the user to return to the settings screen <NUM> (<FIG>) or the menu screen <NUM> (<FIG>). Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the back icon <NUM>, touch input anywhere outside of the boundaries of screen <NUM> on the touchscreen <NUM> can remove the screen <NUM> in cases where the screen <NUM> is smaller than the display area of the touchscreen <NUM>.

To the extent not already described, the different systems and structures of the patient support apparatus <NUM> may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one patient support apparatus <NUM> is illustrated as having all systems and structures disclosed herein is not to be construed that it must have all of the systems and structures, but is done for brevity of description. For example, embodiments of the selective numeric content display (e.g., <FIG>), the selective provision of a control icon to move the patient support apparatus <NUM> into an acceptable state for carrying out a selected function (e.g., <FIG>), the explanation overlays (e.g. <FIG>), and the selection of a user expertise level (e.g., <FIG>) can be implemented independently of each other or in any sub-combination on the patient support apparatus <NUM>. Likewise, the lift system <NUM>, articulation system <NUM>, scale system <NUM>, side rail system <NUM>, and mattress system can be provided independently of each other or in any sub-combination on the patient support apparatus <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A patient support apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a litter frame (<NUM>);
a support deck (<NUM>) supported on the litter frame (<NUM>) and adapted to support a patient thereon, the litter frame (<NUM>) including a plurality of sections (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
an actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to move a component of the patient support apparatus (<NUM>);
a sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to detect a configuration of the component;
a touchscreen (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) in operative communication with the sensor and the touchscreen (<NUM>) and configured to receive readings from the sensor, the controller (<NUM>) configured to generate a first control screen (<NUM>) and a second control screen (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the touchscreen (<NUM>) wherein the first control screen (<NUM>) includes a first control icon (<NUM>, <NUM>) for controlling the component and the second control screen (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a second control icon (<NUM>, <NUM>) for controlling a function;
wherein, in response to a user selecting the second control icon (<NUM>, <NUM>), the controller (<NUM>) is configured to determine if a current configuration of the component is in an acceptable state or an unacceptable state for carrying out the function, and if the controller (<NUM>) determines the component is currently in the unacceptable state, the controller (<NUM>) is further configured to display a third control icon (<NUM>, <NUM>), the third control icon (<NUM>, <NUM>) allowing the user to move the component to the acceptable state without accessing the first control screen (<NUM>).