Abstract: A method for operating a medical device includes activating a processor in the medical device in a low-power operating mode, measuring a first voltage level of the battery, applying at least one discharge pulse to the battery in response to the first voltage level of the battery being greater than a predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than a predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold, measuring a second voltage level of the battery after the at least one discharge pulse, and operating the processor in the medical device in an increased-power operating mode to continue operation of the medical device only in response to the second voltage level being greater than or equal to a predetermined operating voltage threshold, the predetermined operating voltage threshold being greater than the predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than or equal to the predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating a medical device includes activating a processor in the medical device in a low-power operating mode, measuring a first voltage level of the battery, applying at least one discharge pulse to the battery in response to the first voltage level of the battery being greater than a predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than a predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold, measuring a second voltage level of the battery after the at least one discharge pulse, and operating the processor in the medical device in an increased-power operating mode to continue operation of the medical device only in response to the second voltage level being greater than or equal to a predetermined operating voltage threshold, the predetermined operating voltage threshold being greater than the predetermined passivation minimum voltage threshold and less than or equal to the predetermined passivation maximum voltage threshold.

Abstract: The present invention involves a module on a single board for a power line control system including a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and a control circuit. The transmitter circuit sends signals over the power line. The receiver circuit receives signals sent over the power line. The control circuit couples to the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry. The control circuit includes a microprocessor and associated memory. The memory includes instructions enabling the microprocessor to interpret the received signals, generate transmit signals, and control the circuit which controls the electrical appliance. The receiver circuit includes feedback for attenuating the input signal to the receiver circuit. The microprocessor includes an output signal for attenuating the input signal to the receiver circuit. The memory includes programmable memory which can be FLASH memory. The memory also includes serial EEPROM.

Abstract: A television control system for controlling different models of hospital televisions, has an input device for receiving an input from a person, and a controller for interfacing with hospital televisions. The controller generates control signal clusters reflective of the input, and the clusters include a plurality of sequentially-generated, individual control signals for specific operational functions of a plurality of different models of hospital televisions.