Patent ID: 8328793

Claim:
A system comprising: a central control unit configured to couple to input and output connections of at least two medically applicable instruments via at least two control apparatuses having different manufacturer-specific command protocols and associated command protocol software; and a common output display device coupled to the central control unit via a bus, wherein the bus provides electrical separation between the common output display device and the central control unit; at least one input device coupled to the central control unit and configured to receive operator input; wherein the central control unit is configured to receive output signals from the at least two control apparatuses and adapt the received output signals for display on the common output display device, and the central control unit is configured to receive input signals from the at least one input device and relay the received input signals to the at least two control apparatuses; and wherein the central control unit is configured to receive output signals and relay received input signals without conversion of the received input signals to command protocols of the least two medically applicable apparatuses.