Tiered operation option scanning for wheelchair
AssigneePride Mobility Products Corporation
InventorsJohn Doherty, Matthias Holenweg, Jill Kolczynski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheelchair can include a control system that is configured to operate the wheelchair using an input device and a scanning device. The scanning device may be programmed to have a multi-tiered scan sequence. A first tier of the multi-tiered scan sequence may include at least a first operation option that is configured to operate a specific function of the wheelchair. A second tier of the multi-tiered scan sequence may include at least a second operation option that is also configured to operate a specific function of the wheelchair. The second operation option is generally selected less frequently than the first operation option included in the first tier.
Claims23
A method of operating a wheelchair, the method comprising:
- scanning through a plurality of primary operation options of a first tier of operation options on a scanning device such that each primary operation option is sequentially highlighted for a predetermined amount of time, wherein at least some of the primary operation options are associated with a respective wheelchair function, and at least one of the primary operation options is a new tier option;
- scanning through a plurality of secondary operation options of a second tier of operation options on the scanning device when the new tier option of the first tier of operation options has been selected such that each secondary operation option is sequentially highlighted for a predetermined amount of time, wherein at least some of the secondary operation options are associated with a respective wheelchair function;
- receiving input that a highlighted one of the primary operation options or one of the secondary operation options is to be selected;
- and
- causing a wheelchair to perform the wheelchair function associated with the selected primary operation option or secondary operation option.
A method of operating a wheelchair, the method comprising:
- receiving input from a user that one of a first mode of wheelchair operation and a second mode of wheelchair operation is to be selected;
- scanning through a first group of primary operation options when the first mode of wheelchair operation has been selected such that each primary operation option of the first group of primary operation options is sequentially highlighted for a predetermined amount of time;
- scanning through a second group of primary operation options when the second mode of wheelchair operation has been selected such that each primary operation of the second group of primary operation options is sequentially highlighted for a predetermined amount of time, wherein at least some of the primary operation options of the first and second groups are associated with respective wheelchair functions, and the first group of primary operation options is different than the second group of primary operation options;
- receiving input that a highlighted one of the primary operation options is to be selected;
- causing a wheelchair to perform the wheelchair function associated with the selected primary operation option.
A wheelchair comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat supported by the frame, the seat configured to support an infirmed occupant;
- a pair of drive wheels rotatably coupled to the frame;
- a drive operatively coupled to each drive wheel;
- and
- a control system configured to operate the drives, the control system including a scanning device and an input device operatively coupled to the scanning device, the scanning device is configured to sequentially highlight respective primary operation options of a first tier of operation options for a predetermined amount of time, and to optionally sequentially highlight respective secondary operation options of a second tier of operation options for a predetermined amount of time upon selection of a new tier option of the first tier of operation options,
- wherein upon selection of one of the respective primary operation options or one of the respective secondary operation options causes the wheelchair to move in a desired direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.