Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for powering a patient monitoring system. The present invention is a modular patient monitoring system utilizing a bi-directional power bus to efficiently couple a multi-parameter acquisition device, a display and any number of expansion modules. Each coupled device includes a battery, enabling each device to send or receive power through the bi-directional bus. The method and system of the present invention utilizes power from any single battery or from any number of the batteries in the system, as charge is not transferred from one battery to another. The present invention allows for the batteries to charge when it is operated from AC mains derived power.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for informing a system user that the full charge capacity of the battery is less than the design capacity. One horizontal fuel gauge icon for each battery is displayed on the host system display panel. The fuel gauge is displayed as three overlapping rectangles which are left justified. The first layer is a dashed outline, always the same width, representing the design capacity of the battery. The second layer is a solid outline representing the full capacity as a percentage of the design capacity. As a battery wears, this level will become a smaller percentage of the full rated capacity indicated by the dashed line. The third layer is a filled rectangle representing the present (actual) capacity as a percentage of the full capacity.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable electronic device, such as a portable patient monitor of the type used in health care facilities. In particular, the docking station can be installed at a bedside location in a health care facility. The docking station is designed to provide electrical and mechanical connection of AC power and communication devices to the portable electronic device. An intuitive, top-down mounting mechanism locks the electronic device in place without user input. A front facing security lever on the docking station, which can be operated with one hand, provides engagement of electrical connectors and positive locking of the electronic device to the docking station. The docking station combines and provides AC power to the electronic device's AC mains connector, Ethernet signals to communicate with a local area network (LAN), DC power, and asynchronous communication signals to communicate with ancillary devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distributing power within a cardiac treatment and monitoring system which includes a defibrillator releasably coupled to a patient monitoring unit. The method includes the steps of determining a battery reserve capacity within the patient monitoring unit and distributing power from the patient monitoring system to a defibrillator when the determined battery reserve capacity exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distributing power within a cardiac treatment and monitoring system which includes a defibrillator releasably coupled to a patient monitoring unit. The method includes the steps of determining a battery reserve capacity within the patient monitoring unit and distributing power from the patient monitoring system to a defibrillator when the determined battery reserve capacity exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable electronic device, such as a portable patient monitor of the type used in health care facilities. In particular, the docking station can be installed at a bedside location in a health care facility. The docking station is designed to provide electrical and mechanical connection of AC power and communication devices to the portable electronic device. An intuitive, top-down mounting mechanism locks the electronic device in place without user input. A front facing security lever on the docking station, which can be operated with one hand, provides engagement of electrical connectors and positive locking of the electronic device to the docking station. The docking station combines and provides AC power to the electronic device's AC mains connector, Ethernet signals to communicate with a local area network (LAN), DC power, and asynchronous communication signals to communicate with ancillary devices.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for informing a system user of the remaining battery terminal voltage as the battery approaches the fully discharged condition. One horizontal fuel gauge icon for each battery is displayed on the host system display panel. The fuel gauge is displayed as two overlapping rectangles which are left justified. The first layer is a solid outline, always the same width, representing the full charge capacity of the battery. The second layer is a filled-in rectangle representing the present (actual) charge capacity as a percentage of the full charge capacity in a charge depletion mode and representing the battery terminal voltage in a voltage mode. The fuel gauging switches from the charge depletion mode to the voltage mode is response to detection of a battery terminal voltage threshold greater than a shutdown voltage threshold.

Abstract: The invention provides a 3-wire multiplexing system exhibiting high noise immunity, particularly suitable for industrial control applications. A master station provides AC power, and clocking and synchronization information, for a plurality of remote transmitter and receiver stations. A 3-wire cable links the master station and the remote stations. Two wires of the cable are power lines L1 and L2 and are isolated from each station by respective transformers. The third wire is a data line and is optically coupled to the remote stations. The remote stations are thus completely isolated from the cable, yet powered, clocked and synchronized therefrom without the need for local power supplies or local clocks. The signaling method switches the data line onto the power lines, and provides a high degree of data security by recognizing both the polarity and the position of a pulse on the data line within an AC cycle.