Patient Support System Graphical Interface for Positioning Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern patient support systems often include user interfaces that communicate operational information, but this information can be unintelligible to inexperienced users, making it difficult for them to correctly position the system for accurate weight detection or therapeutic air application.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system with a control system and user interface that displays graphical icons indicating the correct positions of components, such as the head-deck and foot-deck sections, and provides directional indicators to guide users in adjusting the system for accurate weight detection and therapeutic air therapy, using a combination of color coding and arrows to indicate proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a user interface displays operational information about the patient support system, then the system can communicate its status to users, but the information becomes unintelligible to inexperienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual icons that copy or represent the physical components of the patient support system (head deck, foot deck, frame sections) displayed on the user interface. These graphical representations mirror the actual system components, making it intuitive for users to understand system status and required adjustments without needing to interpret complex operational data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color coding in the displayed icons to indicate system status and guide user actions. Different colors represent different states or requirements, providing immediate visual feedback that is easily comprehensible regardless of the user's technical expertise
2Measurement precision
If the system provides detailed operational information, then accurate weight detection can be achieved, but inexperienced users cannot understand how to position the system correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through icons that indicate whether the head deck and foot deck are in correct positions for accurate weight measurement. The icons show the current state and guide users to make necessary adjustments, creating a feedback loop that ensures proper positioning without requiring users to understand complex positioning requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical icons serve as an intermediary between the complex positioning requirements and the user. Rather than presenting detailed technical specifications for proper positioning, the system uses visual representations that mediate the communication, showing users simply what needs to be done to achieve correct positioning
3Reliability
If the system uses technical indicators to show component positions, then operational status can be tracked, but users cannot understand which direction to move components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric visual indicators such as directional arrows that clearly point in the required movement direction. The arrows are designed with distinct directional orientation rather than symmetric indicators, making it immediately clear which way users need to move components without ambiguity
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support system includes a scale system, an air system, and a lift system. The patient support system also includes a control system configured to graphically communicate information about the scale system, the air system, and the lift system to a user.