A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to patient monitoring systems and particularly to time based system parameters control system in patient monitors. The present invention more particularly relates to activation system for night mode in the patient monitors automatically and manually.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Seriously ill patients very often require constant monitoring and care. Dedicating a medical professional to each one of such patients requires significant resources and is not always possible. The patient monitoring systems allow for continuous monitoring of such patients in a simple and easy manner. In a patient monitoring system, the real time physiological data collected from a patient is monitored at a physically separate location. It allows a medical professional to provide medical care to the patients who are not located in his/her physical vicinity. Additionally, a single medical professional can provide medical care to more than one patient at a given time.

[0003] Generally the patient monitors are placed on the bedside of each patient to collect the various physiological parameters like electrocardiogram data, respiration data, pulse oximetry data, blood pressure data, temperature data, etc. The patient monitors generate alarm in visual or audible form irrespective of the time of the day or nature of the alarm and this may cause inconvenience to the patients. When there are many patient beds in a single room, the patients will be disturbed by the alarm generated from the patient monitor installed at the bed side of a nearby patient. This is more severe in the night as the patient monitors are generally configured to use high intensity displays and loud alarms to convey the patient status to the medical personnel to attract their attention quickly and without failure.

[0004] Various display light and alarm sound adjustment exists in the patient monitor. One such system is a patient-support apparatus which includes an indicator and a unit having at least one of a noise sensor and a light sensor that generates a sensor data signal. The patient-support apparatus further includes a control system coupled to the indicator and to at least one sensor. The control system is configured to process the sensor data signal and activate the indicating system only when the sensor data signal exceeds a preset threshold level.

[0005] In another system, a timed programmable control is used in a system to alter the signals between an electronic device and a display device to lower or eliminate a signal for a specific colour on the display monitor at specific times. Eliminating or lowering the blue colour on the display monitor allows normal production of a hormone called melatonin prior to normal sleep times to permit normal sleep cycles.

[0006] In another system, an electronic patient monitor is provided with one or more light sources so that the light sources are used to signal the operating characteristics of the monitor including its alarm volume setting, irrespective of whether it is an audible alarm or not.

[0007] Although the above mentioned systems provide patient monitors with various systems for monitoring and controlling the alarm levels, one or more of these systems use manually set parameters all the times thereby making the system control very difficult. Further, one or more of these systems deploy bulky devices which are not easy to use in everyday life. In light of foregoing discussion, it is apparent that there exists a need for a system with a distributed architecture that is scalable, secure, cost-effective and as well as user-friendly to monitor and control the system parameters in a time based manner. Also there exists a need for method and system for displaying the patient status in the patient monitor during night mode without causing inconvenience to the patient or the caretaker, at the same time without affecting the patient care.

[0008] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The primary object of the invention is to develop a night mode activation system for patient monitor to enable night mode in the patient monitor manually or automatically to adjust the brightness level and the audio level by a single operation thereby eliminating the need for the user to use different menus or keys.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a night mode activation system for patient monitor to reduce the brightness level of the display monitor without compromising on visibility to conserve power during night when ambient light levels are low.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a night mode activation system for patient monitor to display night mode enable indication on real time display screen of the patient monitor for user information to ensure error free operation of the patient monitor.

[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop a night mode activation system for patient monitor with a distributed architecture that is scalable, secure, cost-effective and user-friendly.

[0014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop a night mode activation system for patient monitor for displaying patient status in the patient

monitor during night mode without causing inconvenience to a patient or a caretaker and at the same time without affecting the patient care.

[0015] Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop a night mode activation system for patient monitor with hardware and software architecture to ensure fool proof operation of the night mode.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for enabling night mode in patient monitor automatically or manually to adjust the brightness level of the display monitor and the audio level of the output alarm by a single touch operation thereby eliminating the need for the user to use different menus or keys.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patient monitor is provided with a night mode activation system. The system has a main processor connected to a real time clock to receive the time data in real time for activating a night mode operation. A key board including a single touch key for enabling/disabling a night mode operation is connected to the main processor. Also a soft key is provided to activate or deactivate the night mode in the patient monitor. The main processor is connected to a power supply controller which is in turn connected to a display inverter through a brightness control circuit. A speaker is connected to the main processor through an audio control circuit. The main processor regulates the power control circuit and the audio control circuit to adjust the brightness level of the display device and the audio output level of the speaker to preset levels, when a night mode is enabled manually or automatically.

[0018] The main processor activates the power supply controller to regulate the brightness control circuit to control the display inverter to adjust the backlight display intensity of the display device to preset levels during the night period, when a night mode is enabled through the input device. The power supply controller regulates the
voltage supplied to the display inverter to adjust the backlight display intensity of the display device to reduce the display intensity to preset level during the night period by adjusting the voltage supplied to the brightness control pin of the display inverter, when the night mode is enabled manually or automatically.

[0019] The main processor is loaded with software which is executed to display a graphical user interface to enable the user to activate and disable the night mode automatically be entering the enter time and exit tome for the night mode. Also a soft key is provided to activate or deactivate the night mode in the patient monitor.

[0020] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for enabling night mode in patient monitor automatically or manually to adjust the brightness level of the display monitor and the audio level of the output alarm to preset levels by a single touch operation thereby eliminating the need for the user to use different menus or keys. The system reduces the brightness level of the real time display screen in patient monitor without compromising on visibility, when night mode is enabled thereby conserving power. The night mode activation system is provided with a distributed architecture that is scalable, secure, cost-effective and user-friendly. The system displays patient status in the patient monitor during night mode without causing inconvenience to a patient or a caretaker and at the same time without affecting the patient care. The night mode activation system for patient monitor is provided with hardware and software architecture to ensure fool proof operation of the night mode.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of night mode activation system in Patient Monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG.2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a brightness control system in Night Mode activation system in Patient Monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG.3 shows a Night Mode Menu window in Night Mode activation system in Patient Monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] F1G.4 is a flowchart explaining a method of activating a night mode in patient monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0028] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for enabling night mode in patient monitor automatically or manually to adjust the brightness level of the display monitor and the audio level of the output alarm by a single touch operation thereby eliminating the need for the user to use different menus or keys.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a patient monitor is provided with a night mode activation system. The system has a main processor connected to a real time clock to receive the time data in real time for activating a night mode operation. A key board including a single touch key for enabling/disabling a night mode operation is connected to the main processor. The main processor is connected to a power supply controller which is in turn connected to a display inverter through a brightness control circuit. The main processor is connected to the power supply controller through a communication bus such as I2 C bus. A speaker is connected to the main processor through an audio control circuit. The main processor regulates the power control circuit and the audio control circuit to adjust the brightness level of the display device and the audio output level of the speaker to preset levels, when a night mode is enabled manually or automatically.

[0030] The main processor activates the power supply controller to regulate the brightness control circuit to control the display inverter to adjust the backlight display intensity of the display device to preset levels during the night period, when a night mode is enabled through the input device. The power supply controller regulates the voltage supplied to the display inverter to adjust the backlight display intensity of the display device to reduce the display intensity to preset level during the night period by adjusting the voltage supplied to the brightness control pin of the display inverter, when the night mode is enabled manually or automatically.

[0031 ] The main processor is loaded with software which is executed to display a graphical user interface to enable the user to activate and disable the night mode automatically be entering the enter time and exit tome for the night mode. Also a soft key is provided to activate or deactivate the night mode in the patient monitor.

[0032] The graphical user interface displays a menu to enable the user to input data like night mode enablement process, night mode disabling process, night mode enter time and night mode exit time. The main processor is loaded with software which is executed to activate the power supply controller and the audio controller to adjust the brightness level of the display device and the audio output level of the speaker based on the data input through the graphical use interface.

[0033] The display brightness level of the display device is adjusted to pluralities of preset levels such as low, medium, high and very high levels. The volume of the audio output through the speaker is adjusted to pluralities of levels. According to one embodiment of the invention, the audio level is adjusted to 8 preset levels. The preset levels are set based on the choice of the user.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of Night Mode activation system in Patient Monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG, 1, a Motherboard Main Processor 101 is communicatively connected with a Power Supply Unit (PSU) controller 102 through an I2C Bus 106. A brightness control circuit 103 is connected to the PSU controller 102 to set one of 4 predefined brightness levels on real time display screen 109 of the patient monitor. The main processor 101 activates the PSU controller 102 to regulate the brightness control circuit 103 to control the output voltage to the brightness control pin of the display inverter 104 to adjust the backlight display intensity of the display device 109, when a night mode is activated manually or automatically.

[0035] The main processor 101 regulates an audio control circuit 105 to adjust the volume of the audio output through the speaker to preset level, when a night mode is enabled. The audio is adjusted to pluralities of preset levels such as 8 preset levels. The 8 levels correspond to 8 audio volume levels in terms of decibels and are set by the user. The key board 107 includes a single touch key for enabling or disabling the night mode manually. The main processor 101 is loaded with software which is executed to display a graphical user interface to enable the user to activate and disable the night mode automatically be entering the enter time and exit tome for the night mode. Also a soft key is provided to activate or deactivate the night mode in the patient monitor.

[0036] The motherboard main processor 101 executes the system algorithm for controlling various system functions such as Graphical User Interface (GUI), audio output volume of the patient monitor speaker 108, setting and reading the time data from Real Time Clock (RTC) module 110, reading key strokes or optical encoder output pulses from input device. The motherboard main processor 101 sets output volume level of the speaker 108 to one of 8 predefined volume levels through audio control circuit 105 when night mode is enabled.

[0037] Further, the brightness control circuit 103 adjusts display of backlight intensity on the real time display screen 109 of the patient monitor accordingly. Following the night mode actuation a night mode enable indication is displayed on' the real time display screen 109 of the patient monitor for user information.

[0038] The user selects either a manual mode operation or auto mode operation for activating the night mode in the patient monitor. The user activates the night mode in the patient monitor by the input of data through the key board or through the graphical user interface displayed on the display screen. Whenever the user enters into the Night Mode menu through the system user interface or the input device such as keyboard and optical encoder, the interface provides the user with a menu with the options window such as En/Dis Soft Key, Mode Soft Key, Enter Time and Exit Time, to enable the user to select and provide one's inputs.

The En/Dis Soft Key window is provided in the menu for manually enabling and disabling Night Mode. The Mode Soft Key window is provided in the menu for selecting the Manual or Auto Night Mode operation. The Enter Time window is provided for setting the time at which the user prefers the Patient Monitoring System to enter into Night Mode everyday. The Exit Time window is provided for setting the time at which the user prefers the Patient Monitoring System to exit from Night Mode everyday.

[0039] In the auto mode operation for activating the night mode in the patient monitor, the user enters "Enter time" and "Exit time" in the night mode time set window on the GUI displayed on the display screen 109 for enabling and disabling the Night Mode in the patient monitor respectively.

[0040] The main processor 101 enables and disables the night mode based on the input "Enter time" and "Exit time" and the real time data read from the RTC module 110. Thus the patient monitor enters into the night mode and exits from the night mode automatically at the set "Enter time" and "Exit time" without the user's manual intervention, when an auto mode activation operation is selected by the user. In the manual mode of operation the user manually enables and disables the night Mode operation using the En/Dis soft key where user can navigate through input device such as keyboard and optical encoder 107.

[0041] During the activation of night mode in the patient monitor, the motherboard main processor 101 transmits night mode enable information packet to the PSU Controller 102 through the I2C bus 106. The Night mode information packet is part of the communication protocol between the PSU Controller 102 and the motherboard main processor 101. The motherboard main processor 101 transmits night mode brightness level information packet to the PSU Controller 102 through the I2C bus 106. The Night mode brightness level packet information is part of the communication protocol between the PSU Controller 102and the motherboard main processor 101.

[0042] FIG.2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a brightness control system in Night Mode activation system in Patient Monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the Motherboard Main Processor 101 communicates with a Power Supply Unit (PSU) controller 102 through an I2C 106 Bus. Previously one of predefined brightness levels can be set by a user. During the night mode actuation in the patient monitor, the motherboard main processor 101 transmits night mode enable information packet to the PSU Controller 102 through the I2C bus 106. The Night mode information packet is part of the communication protocol between the PSU Controller 102 and the motherboard main processor 101. The motherboard main processor 101 transmits the Night Mode Brightness Level information packet to the PSU Controller 102 through the I2C bus. The Night mode Brightness Level information packet is part of the communication Protocol between the PSU Controller 102 and the motherboard main processor 101.

[0043] The brightness control circuit 103 sets one of 4 predefined brightness levels on real time display screen of the patient monitor The PSU controller 102 regulates the brightness control circuit 103 to change the output voltage to the real time display screen 109 of the patient monitor through the display inverter 104. The brightness control circuit 103 adjusts the voltage to the brightness control pin of the display inverter 104 to change the brightness level of the display screen 109. The PSU controller 102 selects the appropriate brightness level by selecting the appropriate bits in the brightness control circuit 103. The Brightness control circuit 103 adjusts the voltage to the brightness control pin of the display inverter 104 to adjust the backlight intensity on the real time display screen of the patient monitor accordingly. A night mode enable indication is displayed on the real time display screen 109 of the Patient monitor for user information.

[0044] FIG.3 shows a Night Mode Menu window in Night Mode activation system in Patient Monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.3, the main processor displays a graphical user interface to activate a night mode in the patient monitor. Whenever the user enters into the Night Mode menu through the system user interface or the input device such as keyboard and optical encoder, the interface provides the user with a menu with the options window such as En/Dis Soft Key, Mode Soft Key, Enter Time and Exit Time, to enable the user to select and provide one's inputs. According to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the Night Mode Menu window 401 has 5 sets of options. An "En/Dis" Key 402 is a soft key option used to enable or disable night mode actuation in the patient monitor respectively. A "Mode" window option 403 is used for selecting either manual mode operation or auto mode operation to activate the night mode in the patient monitor.

[0045] An "Enter Time" window 404 is used for setting time at which a user prefers the patient monitor to enter into the night mode everyday during the auto mode operation. An "Exit Time" window 405 is used for setting the time at which the user prefers the patient monitor to exit from the night mode everyday during auto mode operation of the night mode in the patient monitor, when a night mode is activated using an auto mode. An "Exit" window option 406 is used to exit from the night Mode Menu window.

[0046] The main processor 101 enables and disables the night mode based on the input "Enter time" and "Exit time" and the real time data read from the RTC module 110. Thus the patient monitor enters into the night mode and exits from the night mode automatically at the set "Enter time" and "Exit time" without the user's manual intervention, when a night mode is activated automatically. In the manual mode of activating the patient monitor into night mode, the user manually enables and disables the night Mode operation using the input device such as keyboard and optical encoder 107.

[0047] FIG.4 is a flowchart explaining a method of activating a night mode in patient monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4, a night mode enable or disable command signal is sent from the motherboard main processor to Power supply unit (PSU) controller (501). The speaker in the patient monitor is set to the previous audio level and the real time display screen of the patient monitor is set to previous brightness level, when the disable command signal is sent from the motherboard main processor to the PSU controller (502).

[0048] When the enable command signal is sent from the motherboard main processor to the PSU controller, the motherboard main processor transmits a predefined brightness level information packet to the PSU controller through the I2C bus (503). The Brightness level information packet is part of the communication protocol between the PSU Controller and the motherboard main processor. The audio level of the patient monitor is set to one of predefined audio levels by the audio control circuit, when the enable command signal is sent from the motherboard main processor to the PSU controller (504).

[0049] The PSU controller switches multiplexer, to change output voltage to the real time display screen of the patient monitor through the brightness control pin in a display inverter (505). The brightness control circuit changes the voltage to the brightness control pin of the display inverter to reduce the back light intensity of the display device in the patient monitor, when the night mode is activated. The PSU controller selects a desired brightness level by selecting the appropriate bits in the brightness control circuit. The PSU controller selects the brightness level from the possible 4 brightness levels such as low, medium, high and very high. The brightness level of the real time display screen of the patient monitor is changed accordingly based on the bits selected by the PSU controller (506).

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for night mode activation in patient monitor. The system provides setting an audio level of a speaker and brightness level of a display screen in the patient monitor real to a predefined level, without separately setting the brightness level and the audio level using different keys. The system conserves power during night by reducing the brightness level of the real time display screen in the patient monitor without compromising on visibility, when the ambient light levels are low. The system displays patient status in the patient monitor during night mode without causing inconvenience to a patient or a caretaker and at same time without affecting the patient care. The system has a distributed architecture that is scalable, secure, cost-effective and as well as user-friendly.

[0051] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0052] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A night mode activation system in patient monitoring system comprising:

A main processor;

A real time clock connected to the main processor;

A power supply controller connected to the main processor;

A brightness control circuit connected to the power supply controller;

A display inverter connected to the power supply controller;

A display device connected to the power supply controller;

An audio control circuit connected to the main processor;

A speaker connected to the audio control circuit; and

A key board connected to the main processor;

Wherein the main processor regulates the brightness control circuit to adjust the display brightness level of the display device and regulates the audio control circuit to adjust the output volume of the speaker, when a night mode is enabled.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor activates the power supply controller to regulate the brightness control circuit to control the display inverter to adjust the backlight display intensity of the display device during the night period, when a night mode is enabled through the input device.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply controller regulates the voltage to the display inverter to adjust the backlight display intensity, when the night mode is enabled through the input device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein input device is a key board provided with a single touch key to enable or disable the night mode.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor is loaded with software which is executed to display a graphical user interface to enable the user to activate and disable the night mode.

6. The system according to claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface displays a menu to enable the user to input data like night mode enablement process, night mode disabling process, night mode enter time and night mode exit time.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor is loaded with software which is executed to activate the power supply controller and the audio controller to adjust the brightness level of the display device and the audio output level of the speaker based on the data input through the graphical use interface.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the main processor regulates the power supply controller and the audio controller to adjust the brightness level of the display device and the audio output level of the speaker, when the night mode is enabled automatically by programming the main processor with the input of data through the graphical user interface.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the single touch key provided in the key board is pressed to enable or disable the night mode manually.