Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a presence of a relay in a pillow speaker, including sampling a voltage of a relay drive line to detect a first feedback state; providing a control signal to activate the relay drive line; sampling a voltage of the relay drive line during activation to detect a second feedback state; and comparing the first feedback state and the second feedback state to detect a presence of a relay. In another aspect, a pillow speaker relay circuit includes a relay drive line with a relay terminal configured to connect to a relay such that current flows through the relay when the relay drive line is activated; a control circuit operable to activate the relay drive line, and a feedback detection circuit configured to detect a voltage of the relay drive line; and a controller to perform any of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A breath-operated interface device having a disposable module and a base. The disposable module having a breath tube with an inlet. A first pressure differential switch is in pneumatic communication with the breath tube and configured to be actuated by a change in pressure in the breath tube. A first signal coupler of the disposable module is in electrical communication with the first pressure differential switch to receive a signal according to an actuation state of the first pressure differential switch. The device may also include a base with a second signal coupler, where the second signal coupler is configured to detachably electrically connect with the first signal coupler of the disposable module. The base also includes a station interconnect configured to interface with an external system, such as, for example, a nurse call system.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a pillow speaker system. The pillow speaker system has a patient interface device (PID) having a processor and an audio output. A nurse call audio port is provided to communicate with a nurse call station. A detection circuit is provided to detect a nurse call signal and a provide nurse call indicator if a nurse call signal is present. The processor is programmed to receive the nurse call indicator from the detection circuit; provide a nurse call audio signal to the audio output if the nurse call indicator is received; and mute audio signals to the audio output except the nurse call audio signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a nurse call system. The nurse call system may include a patient hub. The patient hub may include a nurse call interface circuit configured to be in electronic communication with a nurse call patient station. The patient hub may further include a hub controller in electronic communication with the nurse call interface circuit. The nurse call system may further include a patient interaction device (“PID”). The PID may include a hub interconnect configured to be in electronic communication with the hub controller. The PID may further include a wireless communication link for receiving a PID software update. The PID software update may be a PID firmware update. The PID software update may be a PID operating system update.

Abstract: An interlock system for signaling a nurse call patient station is disclosed. The interlock system may include a first terminal and a second terminal. The first and second terminals may be configured to be connected to corresponding terminals of a signaling loop of a nurse call patient station. The interlock system may further include a connection circuit. The connection circuit may be configured to electrically connect the first terminal to the second terminal. The interlock system may also include a control circuit in communication with, but isolated from, the connection circuit. The control circuit may include a microcontroller. The control circuit may be isolated from the connection circuit by an isolation circuit. The control circuit may be configured to operate the connection circuit to connect or disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a model of a television set is presented. The system may include a user interaction device including a first communication port configured to transmit operational codes to the television set via a control link, and a second communication port configured to detect audio signals from the television set via a feedback link. The user interaction device may be configured to transmit volume-down codes for television models to the television set to program a volume level of the television set to 0. The user interaction device may be configured to transmit a volume-up code for a first television model. The user interaction device may be configured to identify a model of the television set as the first television model if the user interaction device detects an audio signal on the feedback link following the transmission of the volume-up code for the first television model.

Abstract: A low-voltage controller (LVC) is configured to utilize a low-voltage signal to operate a high-voltage load, such as, for example, a lamp. The LVC is configured to receive a low-voltage step signal at a switch input. The LVC has a line input for connection to a source of power at a line voltage and a load output for connection to a first load, and a dimmer for setting an intensity of the first load. Subsequent step signals may alter the intensity of the load. A method for low-voltage control of a load is provided. A method includes the steps of receiving a first switch signal at a switch input of an LVC; setting a lamp to a first intensity; receiving a second switch signal at the switch input; and setting the lamp to a second intensity.

Abstract: A low-voltage controller (LVC) is configured to utilize a low-voltage signal to operate a high-voltage load, such as a lamp. The LVC is configured to receive a low-voltage step signal at a switch input. The LVC has a line input for connection to a source of power at a line voltage and a load output for connection to a first load, and a dimmer for setting an intensity of the first load. Subsequent step signals alter the intensity of the load. A method for low-voltage control of the load is provided. A method includes the steps of receiving a first switch signal at a switch input of an LVC; setting a lamp to a first intensity; receiving a second switch signal at the switch input; and setting the lamp to a second intensity.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a pillow speaker system. The pillow speaker system includes a nurse call patient station and a patient interface device (PID). The PID is in electronic communication with the nurse call patient station, and includes a wired communication link connected to the nurse call patient station and an energy storage device for providing backup power to the PID. The energy storage device is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link. The PID is configured to receive audio signals from the nurse call patient station by way of the wired communication link. The PID may also include a power port for receiving electrical power from an external source. The power port is galvanically isolated from the wired communication link.

Abstract: A low-voltage controller (LVC) is configured to utilize a low-voltage signal to operate a high-voltage load, such as, for example, a lamp. The LVC is configured to receive a low-voltage step signal at a switch input. The LVC has a line input for connection to a source of power at a line voltage and a load output for connection to a load, and a dimmer for setting an intensity of the load. Subsequent step signals alter the intensity of the load. A method for low-voltage control of a lamp is provided. A method includes the steps of receiving a first switch signal at a switch input of an LVC; setting the lamp to a first intensity; receiving a second switch signal at the switch input; and setting the lamp to a second intensity.

Abstract: A low-voltage controller (LVC) is configured to utilize a low-voltage signal to operate a high-voltage load, such as, for example, a lamp. The LVC is configured to receive a low-voltage step signal at a switch input. The LVC has a line input for connection to a source of power at a line voltage and a load output for connection to a first load, and a dimmer for setting an intensity of the first load. Subsequent step signals may alter the intensity of the load. A method for low-voltage control of a load is provided. A method includes the steps of receiving a first switch signal at a switch input of an LVC; setting a lamp to a first intensity; receiving a second switch signal at the switch input; and setting the lamp to a second intensity.

Abstract: A cable connection apparatus for an electronic device receives and retains a cable connector at the end of a cable carrying power and/or data signals. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a receptacle sized to receive the cable connector, a compartment, and a passage communicating between the compartment and the receptacle. A magnetic retaining element is coupled to a spring member located in the compartment and extends through the passage and into an external recess of the cable connector to retain the cable connector in the receptacle. The retaining element is removable from within the cable connector recess against the spring member bias by a magnetic force applied from a location external to the housing. A tool having a magnet may be used to apply magnetic force to remove the retaining element from the recess to permit withdrawal of the cable connector from the receptacle.

Abstract: A plug-to-socket keying device includes a housing having an adjustment recess having a detent portion. A plurality of electrical contacts are carried by the housing. An alignment key is provided with a mating end. An indexing segment is connected to the mating end, which is shaped to define a plurality of rotational index positions. The alignment key is axially movable relative to the adjustment recess into a set position. The indexing segment is movable from the detent portion so as to allow rotation of the alignment key relative to the housing. A spring is arranged to bias the alignment key toward the set position. The alignment key is settable to a chosen one of the plurality of rotational index positions by moving the alignment key into its adjustment position and rotating the alignment key to the chosen rotational index position.

Abstract: A plug-to-socket keying device includes a housing having an adjustment recess having a detent portion. A plurality of electrical contacts are carried by the housing. An alignment key is provided with a mating end. An indexing segment is connected to the mating end, which is shaped to define a plurality of rotational index positions. The alignment key is axially movable relative to the adjustment recess into a set position. The indexing segment is movable from the detent portion so as to allow rotation of the alignment key relative to the housing. A spring is arranged to bias the alignment key toward the set position. The alignment key is settable to a chosen one of the plurality of rotational index positions by moving the alignment key into its adjustment position and rotating the alignment key to the chosen rotational index position.

Abstract: An electronic device for use in a health care setting has a rigid enclosure assembly formed by a rigid shell and a rigid printed circuit board carrying circuitry for operating the device. A switch dome layer and an overlay are independently attached to the device but not to each other, whereby the overlay may be removed without disturbing the dome layer and a better tactile response is achieved.

Abstract: A normally closed dome switch comprises a printed circuit board including a switch trace having first and second contact areas electrically insulated from one another, and a conductive switch dome having a central portion spaced from the printed circuit board and a plurality of contacting portions extending from the central portion such that each of the first and second contact areas is contacted by at least one of the contacting portions when the switch dome is unpressed such that the unpressed switch dome forms a closed switch between the first and second contact areas. The switch dome is resiliently pressable to urge the central portion toward the printed circuit board and pivot the contacting portions about a corresponding fulcrum to remove the plurality of contacting portions of the switch dome from contact with at least one of the first and second contact areas to open the switch.