Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a plurality of ultra-wideband transceivers, a display, a controller, and a near field transceiver. The controller is adapted to automatically associate an object with the patient support apparatus when the object is positioned within communication range of the near field transceiver; to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the plurality of ultra-wideband transceivers and the object to determine a position of the object relative to the patient support apparatus; to determine if the object is positioned inside or outside of a volume of space; to automatically disassociate the object from the patient support apparatus if the object is outside the volume of space; to forward and/or display data from the object if it is associated; and to not forward and/or display data if it is disassociated. The object may be a nurse call device, an exit detection sensor, a second patient support apparatus, etc.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient communicates wirelessly with one or more devices and determines the relative position of the device(s) with respect to the patient support apparatus. A control system onboard the patient support apparatus receives identification data from the device(s) and uses the identification data to perform an authentication analysis of the device. Based on the authentication analysis, the control system determines an authorization level for the device and transmits different types of data to the device based on the authorization level. A plurality of locator nodes may be included on the patient support apparatus that are linked together by an embedded network. Synchronization messages are passed between the locator nodes over the embedded network to ensure the locator nodes have synchronized time. The authentication analysis and/or the use of encrypted communications may be based on the identity of the device and/or its location.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient is adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more wall units. A controller onboard the patient support apparatus and/or a controller onboard the wall unit is adapted to use RF signals to determine a distance between the wall unit and the patient support apparatus. In some embodiments, the wall unit and/or patient support apparatus include an orientation sensor adapted to determine the geographic orientation of the wall unit and/or patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus controller may use the geographic orientation information to determine if the wall unit is facing toward the patient support apparatus or not. The patient support apparatus may communicate with multiple wall units concurrently, and/or the wall unit may communicate with multiple patient support apparatuses concurrently.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient includes a plurality of pseudo-anchors that are used to determine relative position estimates with respect to an anchor affixed at a known location to a wall of a healthcare facility. From these position estimates and the knowledge of the location of the pseudo-anchors on the body of the patient support apparatus, the position and/or orientation of the patient support apparatus is determined. The pseudo-anchors may also determine the relative location of a mobile medical device with respect to the patient support apparatus. If the medical device is closely positioned to the patient support apparatus, the patient support apparatus associates the medical device with the patient support apparatus and transmits data to a server indicating the association. The medical device may include a location module and a data collection module that transmit information to the patient support apparatus for forwarding to the server.

Abstract: A system includes a patient support apparatus and a plurality of location transceivers. One of more of the location transceivers are positioned onboard the patient support apparatus and one or more are positioned at fixed locations within the room. The onboard location transceivers determine their location with respect to the off-board location transceivers, or vice versa, and use this location information to determine the position of the tagged medical device with respect to a volume of space. If the tagged medical device is inside the volume of space, a controller may: (a) associate the tagged medical device with the patient support apparatus, a patient, a room identifier, and/or a room bay identifier; (b) allow the tagged medical device to join a communication network, and/or (c) forward data from the tagged medical device to a remotely positioned server.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, support surface, first and second wireless transceivers, a room control, and a controller. The first transceiver communicates with a headwall module and the second transceiver communicates with a local area network. The room control controls a feature of a room device. The controller transmits a room control signal to the headwall module via the first transceiver in response to a user activating the room control on the patient support apparatus, and receives a room control command from an off-board source via the second wireless transceiver. The controller also transmits the room control signal to the headwall module via the first transceiver in response to receiving the room control command. The headwall module forwards the room control signal to the room device, thereby allowing the room device to be controlled both by the room control and by the off-board source.