Ralph S Weaver

US Patent:

8392747, Mar 5, 2013

Filed:

Sep 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/241461

Inventors:

David C. Ferguson - Wake Forest NC, US
Richard J. Schuman - Cary NC, US
Karl E. Harper - Durham NC, US
Patricia A. Glidewell - Cary NC, US
Ralph J. Weaver - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Hill-Rom Services, Inc. - Batesville IN

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 1, 600300, 600301, 607 59, 705 2

Abstract:

A healthcare communication system includes a first plurality of computer devices operable as a nurse call system. The first plurality of computer devices has core nurse call functionality. The system also includes a second plurality of computer devices communicatively coupled to the first plurality of computer devices. The first plurality of computer devices are interconnected logically and/or physically in a tiered architecture arrangement to provide fault isolation among the tiers so that faults occurring in computer devices of one tier don't affect the operability of computer devices in other tiers and so that faults occurring in any of the second plurality of computer devices don't affect the core nurse call functionality of the first plurality of computer devices.

US Patent:

8046625, Oct 25, 2011

Filed:

Feb 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/369818

Inventors:

David C. Ferguson - Wake Forest NC, US
Richard J. Schuman - Cary NC, US
Karl E. Harper - Durham NC, US
Patricia A. Glidewell - Cary NC, US
Ralph J. Weaver - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Hill-Rom Services, Inc. - Batesville IN

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 1

Abstract:

A healthcare communication system includes a first plurality of computer devices, such as patient stations, staff stations, and a master station, that are operable as a nurse call system. The first plurality of computer devices may have core nurse call functionality residing on an embedded computing platform. At least one of the first plurality of computer devices may have a graphical display screen. A second plurality of computer devices may be operable to provide the first plurality of computer devices with additional functionality via software plug-ins that are transmitted to the first plurality of computer devices. The first plurality of computer devices may be interconnected logically and/or physically in a tiered architecture arrangement to provide fault isolation among the tiers so that faults occurring in computer devices of one tier don't affect the operability of computer devices in other tiers and so that faults occurring in any of the second plurality of computer devices don't affect the core nurse call functionality of the first plurality of computer devices.

US Patent:

20080091799, Apr 17, 2008

Filed:

Oct 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/549948

Inventors:

Ralph J. Weaver - Cary NC, US

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709218

Abstract:

A system and a method to provide access to Internet content via telephone includes a control center that allows a user to select content sources, or modes, via a web browser interface. Once the modes are initially selected, the user calls the control center, is authenticated, and the user cycles through available modes using the telephone keypad. A desired mode is selected, again by keypad, and then items corresponding to that mode are presented to the user. Again using the keypad, the user selects a desired item and the system provides that content as audio to the user.

US Patent:

20130159423, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Feb 20, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/771718

Inventors:

Richard J. Schuman - Cary NC, US
Karl E. Harper - Durham NC, US
Patricia A. Glidewell - Cary NC, US
Ralph J. Weaver - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC. - Batesville IN

International Classification:

H04L 29/08

US Classification:

709204

Abstract:

A healthcare communication system includes a first plurality of computer devices operable as a nurse call system. The first plurality of computer devices has core nurse call functionality. The system also includes a second plurality of computer devices communicatively coupled to the first plurality of computer devices. The first plurality of computer devices are interconnected logically and/or physically in a tiered architecture arrangement to provide fault isolation among the tiers so that faults occurring in computer devices of one tier don't affect the operability of computer devices in other tiers and so that faults occurring in any of the second plurality of computer devices don't affect the core nurse call functionality of the first plurality of computer devices.