Coded data generation or conversion – Code generator or transmitter – Transmitter for remote control signal
Patent
1990-10-16
1993-08-24
Swann, III, Glen R.
Coded data generation or conversion
Code generator or transmitter
Transmitter for remote control signal
455128, G08C 1900, H04B 103
Patent
active
052393003
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an operating unit for the manual control of a plurality of functions of different apparatuses, especially for hospitals or hotels.
THE RELATED ART
Operating units are known which comprise a housing, a plurality of keys for function control at the housing and wiring in the housing for the transmission of signals to the apparatuses and possibly for the processing of signals.
Such operating units are, for instance, referred to as remote control units for television receivers etc. Here, a single device is controlled by the operating unit. Furthermore, in hospitals operating units are known with which for instance hospital beds can be adjusted. Also in this case the operating unit is exclusively intended for the control of a single device. Dependent on the kind of the control, these units are either completely independent from the device which has to be controlled or are connected with the same by means of corresponding cables. Furthermore, it is known in hospitals or hotels to provide stationary operating means with which for instance radios or television receivers can be controlled and signals can be transmitted in order to call service or nursing staff. The present invention emanates from such stationary operating means.
The invention is based on the problem to provide an operating unit of the cited kind which has a good adaptability with regard to the available space and a simple rational construction and which can be used and varied or extended in an especially versatile manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention this problem is solved by an operating unit of the cited kind which is characterized by the features that
it is formed as a movable unit or as a unit which can be moved in a limited manner,
the housing is of a modular design and comprises a box-like main module having a plurality of function keys and at least one further replaceable slat-like submodule laterally mounted to the main module in a removable manner, the submodule being formed either as intermediate module or as end module,
at least one device is located in or at the main module the function of which being controlled by manual key operation, and
the submodule contains also a device the function of which is controlled by manual key operation, and/or an independent accessory device.
Accordingly, the inventive solution is based on the principle to design the operating unit as movable independent unit or independent unit movable in a limited manner, analogous to the known mobile control units, so that the user can use the unit at any point of a room. This can be attained on the one side by designing the unit as completely movable operating unit which has at most a cable connection to a stationary point, or as operating unit mounted at a holding device according to which the holding device allows corresponding degrees of freedom for the movement of the operating unit. The last-cited solution, according to which the operating unit is mounted at a holding device, has the advantage that the unit has not to be held manually if, for instance, the function keys are actuated or further functions of the unit are utilized. Accordingly, this solution is prefered and is especially suited for hotels or hospitals according to which the operating unit is pivotally mounted in such a manner that it can be used by the patient in the hospital bed or by the hotel guest in the hotel bed. The patient or guest has the possibility to move the operating unit into a position which is comfortable for him to use. Needless to say that the holding device has to allow a corresponding possibility of movement of the unit. This will be discussed later on.
Furthermore, the inventive solution is characterized by the feature that the housing of the operating unit has a modular design. For this, a box-like main module is used at which at least one slat-like submodule is removably mounted. These submodules are replaceable so that different submodules can be connected to a main module. Furthermore
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Berger Reimar
Borgens Markus
Dubno Herbert
Swann III Glen R.
Telehotel-TV-Systeme GmbH
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