Hospital bed having near field communication capability

摘要

An apparatus for providing data communication and power to a device (16) located in a room having a power outlet is disclosed. The power outlet (20) may be a standard AC outlet, for example. The apparatus includes a cable (12, 36) extending from the device and having a plug (10) comprising a plug body (14). Prongs (18) extend from the plug body (14) and couple to the power outlet (20) to receive power. A first near field communication antenna (24) is carried by the plug body (14). A communication module has a second near field communication antenna (26) and is located in the room in proximity to the plug (10). At least one of the near field communication antennas (24, 16) communicates data wirelessly to the other. Thus, only one connector is needed to provide both power and data to device (16).