Abstract: A remote control system includes beds, remote controls, and a master station in communication with the beds and the remote controls. Each bed is adapted to receive requests from a patient associated with the bed, and each remote control is adapted to present requests to a caregiver associated with the remote control. The master station is adapted to receive a nurse call request from a patient via a bed, to identify a remote control that is associated with a caregiver for the patient, and to transmit the nurse call request to the remote control identified as being associated with the caregiver for the patient.

Abstract: A system including piezoelectric material wherein a force exerted on the piezoelectric material is determined by subjecting the piezoelectric material to an input signal of sweeping frequency and evaluating the response of the piezoelectric material to the applied signal.

Abstract: A system including piezoelectric material wherein a force exerted on the piezoelectric material is determined by subjecting the piezoelectric material to an input signal of sweeping frequency and evaluating the response of the piezoelectric material to the applied signal.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a patient on a support. The system includes a first and second sensor coupled to a patient's support surface and being at least laterally spaced. A first load signal from the first sensor has a first sensitivity greater than a second sensitivity of a second load signal from the second sensor. A determination circuit receives a first and second load signals and provides an indication of the location of the patient on the support surface from a comparison of the sum of the load signals to a selected value.