Abstract: A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.

Abstract: A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.

Abstract: A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.

Abstract: A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.

Abstract: A digital compass system for use in a wide variety of motor vehicle models, especially in the automotive aftermarket, and including various features which simplify installation and calibration by non-professionals. A knowledge of magnetic direction is not required. During calibration, only true geographic directions are used throughout. While searching for a suitable location within the vehicle to mount the magnetic sensor, the installer is advised by the digital display unit of the system as to whether or not a given location contains excessively strong magnetic components.

Abstract: A radio receiver having a tunable RF stage with an electrically tunable inductor is disclosed. The tunable inductor consists of a magnetic device with a core whose degree of magnetic saturation is controlled by various control currents. A phase lock loop with a programmable frequency divider responds to inputs from a tuning control means and provides a local oscillator signal to a mixer in the radio receiver while also providing a control current to the magnetic device, defined herein as Current Controlled Inductor (C.C.I.), which is directly related to the frequency of the local oscillator signal supplied to the mixer. Each time the radio receiver is tuned to a different input frequency by changing the frequency of the local oscillator signal, a predetermined reference current is applied to the C.C.I. before a new control current corresponding to the new local oscillator frequency is applied. This results in always tuning the C.C.I. in a single direction and therefore accurately setting the C.C.I.