Remote control nearfield detection

A patient support apparatus comprising:

• a removable table;
• a support structure comprising a support column having an adjustable height, the support column having a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable table;
• an actuator for adjusting the height of the support column;
• a remote control;
• a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from the remote control;
• an RF reader for receiving RF signals from an RFID tag, wherein one of the RF reader and the RFID tag is on the remote control and the other of the RF reader and the RFID tag is positioned proximate the column head;
• and
• a controller coupled to the actuator and the wireless receiver, the controller being in communication with the RF reader for controlling the actuator in response to the control signals from the remote control, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head and to disable upward movement of the support column when the presence of the remote control is detected within the predetermined distance.

A patient support apparatus comprising:

• a support structure comprising:
• a chassis having a plurality of wheels for allowing movement of the patient support apparatus;
• a motor for rotating at least one of the plurality of wheels to propel the patient support apparatus in at least one direction;
• and
• a support column supported on the chassis;
• a table supported by the support column;
• a remote control;
• a wireless receiver for receiving control signals from the remote control;
• an RF reader for receiving RF signals from an RFID tag, wherein one of the RF reader and the RFID tag is on the remote control and the other of the RF reader and the RFID tag is associated with the support structure;
• and
• a controller coupled to the motor and the wireless receiver, the controller being in communication with the RF reader for controlling a plurality of functions of the patient support apparatus in response to control signals from the remote control, wherein one of the plurality of functions is the actuation of the motor, wherein the controller is configured to detect whether the remote control is within a predetermined distance from the table and wherein the controller is further configured to disable actuation of the motor in response to the control signals received from the remote control when the remote control is not detected within the predetermined distance, wherein the controller controls the other of plurality of functions of the patient support apparatus in response to the control signals from the remote control regardless of the detection of the remote control within the predetermined distance.

A method of controlling a transfer of a removable operating table from a shuttle to a support structure having a support column having an adjustable height, the support column having a column head at an upper end thereof for receiving and supporting the removable operating table, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting whether a remote control is within a predetermined distance from the column head;
• disabling upward movement of the support column when the remote control is detected within the predetermined distance;
• and
• allowing upward movement of the support column when the remote control is not detected within the predetermined distance, wherein such upward movement of the support column lifts the operating table upward off the shuttle to transfer the operating table from the shuttle to the support structure.