Sensor control for apparatuses for supporting and monitoring a person

摘要

A person support apparatus includes a frame and a support surface cooperating with the frame to support a person. The person support apparatus also has a sensor coupled to one of the frame and the support surface. The sensor detects at least one characteristic associated with the person. A controller is coupled to the sensor. In response to at least one of a condition of the frame, a condition of the support surface, a position of the person, or a condition of the person, the controller operates to control the sensor by at least one of changing a gain of the sensor and changing a manner in which a signal from the sensor is filtered. In some instances, the controller turns the sensor off.

主权项

1. A method of adjusting at least one function of a person support apparatus, the method comprising:
sensing an initial position of a person with respect to the person support apparatus with at least one of a first sensor and a second sensor; sensing a second position of the person with respect to the person support apparatus with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor; comparing the initial position with the second position; and adjusting the sensitivity of at least one adjustable sensor in response to the movement of the person from the initial position to the second position; wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, and the at least one adjustable sensor are different types of sensors such that one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the at least one adjustable sensor is a force sensor; another of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the at least one adjustable sensor is a pneumatic pressure sensor; and yet another of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the at least one adjustable sensor is a physiological sensor.