US 10,945,902 B2 · Techniques for controlling actuators of a patient support apparatus

Abstract

Systems, methods, and techniques for operating a patient support apparatus are disclosed. The patient support apparatus includes moveable components and actuators to actuate the components. A user interface receives a user input to manipulate the actuatable components and produces an input signal in response to receiving the user input. A behavior controller receives the input signal from the user interface, generates a motion command signal based on the input signal, and transmits the motion command signal. A motion controller receives the motion command signal from the behavior controller and receives feedback signals from one or more of the actuators. The feedback signals are provided solely to the motion controller. The motion controller controls one or more of the actuators to actuate one or more of the actuatable components based on the motion command signal and the feedback signals.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A patient support apparatus comprising:

a support structure comprising a plurality of components that are moveable;
a plurality of actuators configured to actuate one or more of the components;
a user interface configured to receive a user input to manipulate one or more of the actuatable components and to produce an input signal in response to receiving the user input;
a behavior controller coupled to the user interface and being configured to:
receive the input signal from the user interface;
generate a motion command signal based on the input signal;
and
transmit the motion command signal;
and
a motion controller coupled to the behavior controller and to the actuators and being configured to:
receive the motion command signal from the behavior controller;
receive feedback signals from one or more of the actuators, wherein the feedback signals are provided solely to the motion controller;
and
control one or more of the actuators to actuate one or more of the actuatable components based on the motion command signal and the feedback signals.

11 more elements

A method of operating a patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus having a support structure comprising a plurality of components that are moveable, a plurality of actuators configured to actuate one or more of the components, a user interface, a behavior controller coupled to the user interface, and a motion controller coupled to the behavior controller and to the plurality of actuators, the method comprising steps of:

receiving, with the user interface, a user input to manipulate the one or more adjustable components;
producing, with the user interface, an input signal in response to receiving the user input;
receiving, with the behavior controller, the input signal from the user interface;
generating, with the behavior controller, a motion command signal based on the input signal;
transmitting, with the behavior controller, the motion command signal;
receiving, with the motion controller, the motion command signal from the behavior controller;
receiving, with the motion controller, feedback signals from one or more of the actuators, wherein the feedback signals are provided solely to the motion controller;
and
controlling, with the motion controller, one or more of the actuators to actuate one or more of the actuatable components based on the motion command signal and the feedback signals.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Techniques for controlling actuators of a patient support apparatus

Life of this patent

Techniques for controlling actuators of a patient support apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19