What is claimed is:
1. A patient distance sensing system, comprising:
a rigid frame;
at least one inflatable chamber supported upon said rigid frame, wherein said at least one inflatable chamber forms a patient support surface;
a heterodyning proximation detector device operably configured generally adjacent said at least one inflatable chamber for detecting the distance of a patient in relation to said at least one inflatable chamber; and,
an air supply for providing a flow of air pressure to said at least one inflatable chamber, said air supply controllable by said heterodyning proximation detector device for varying the flow of air pressure to said at least one inflatable chamber, wherein said heterodyning proximation detector device maintains said at least one inflatable chamber at an optimal pressure.
2. The patient distance sensing system in claim 1, further comprising at least one force responsive distance sensing device disposed adjacent at least a portion of at least one inflatable chamber, wherein said at least one force responsive distance sensing device is operable to detect patient compressive forces, wherein said patient compressive forces alter the height of said patient support surface.
3. The patient distance sensing system in claim 1, further comprising at least one light responsive distance sensing device disposed adjacent at least a portion of at least one inflatable chamber, wherein said at least one light responsive distance sensing device is a deformable chamber operable to detect patient compressive forces, wherein said patient compressive forces alter the height of said patient support surface.
4. The patient distance sensing system in claim 1, wherein said at least one inflatable chamber is a plurality of inflatable chambers, the uppers surfaces of said plurality of inflatable chambers forming a patient support surface.
5. The patient distance sensing system in claim 1, wherein said heterodyning proximation detector device is a plurality of heterodyning proximation detector devices.
6. The light responsive distance sensing device in claim 3, wherein said deformable chamber includes a light emitting device attached to said deformable chamber at a position opposite a light detecting device attached to said deformable chamber, said light emitting device operably configured to emit light into the internal space of said deformable chamber and said emitted light being detected by said light detecting device, wherein deformation of said deformable chamber by patient compressive forces alters the quantity of emitted light received by said light detecting device, said alteration in detected light converted into a signal which thereby controls pressurized air flow to at least a portion of said air mattress.
7. The light responsive distance sensing device in claim 3, wherein said deformable chamber has an inner surface constructed of a light diffusing material.
8. The force responsive device in claim 2, wherein said force responsive distance sensing device includes a force transmitting member coupled to at least one force sensing resistor, said force transmitting member exerting force upon said at least one force sensing resistor in response to patient compressive forces, said at least one force sensing resistor converting said patient compressive forces into a signal which thereby controls pressurized air flow to at least a portion of said air mattress.
9. A patient distance sensing system, comprising:
a rigid frame;
at least one inflatable chamber supported upon said rigid frame, wherein said at least one inflatable chamber forms a patient support surface;
a heterodyning proximation detector device operably configured generally adjacent said at least one inflatable chamber for detecting the distance of a patient in relation to said at least one inflatable chamber;
a force responsive distance sensing device disposed adjacent at least a portion of at least one inflatable chamber, wherein said at least one force responsive distance sensing device is operable to detect patient induced changes in the height of said patient support surface;
a light responsive distance sensing device located generally adjacent said patient support surface, wherein said at least one light responsive distance sensing device is a deformable chamber operable to detect patient induced changes in the height of said patient support surface; and,
an air supply for providing a flow of air pressure to said at least one inflatable chamber, said air supply cooperatively controlled by said heterodyning proximation detector device, said force responsive distance sensing device, and said light responsive distance sensing device for varying the flow of air pressure to said at least one inflatable chamber, wherein said at least one inflatable chamber is maintained at an optimal pressure.
10. A method for regulating the inflation of an air mattress assembly, comprising:
deflating an inflatable air mattress assembly to a substantially deflated condition;
measuring and storing the distance from at least one heterodyning proximation detector to a patient, said inflatable air mattress assembly in a deflated condition;
initiating inflation of said inflatable air mattress assembly when said heterodyning proximation detector detects said patient approaching through space said inflatable air mattress assembly;
placing said patient on patient surface of said air mattress assembly;
measuring and storing the minimum height distance from the heterodyning proximation detector to said patient on said patient surface when said air mattress assembly is in a substantially inflated condition;
calibrating an optimal height distance for said patient resting above said patient surface using said stored height distances from said substantially deflated and said substantially inflated conditions; and,
using said heterodyning proximation detector to control an air supply for maintaining said air mattress at an optimal pressure, wherein said patient is maintained at said optimal height distance.
11. The method for regulating the inflation of an air mattress assembly as claimed in claim 10, further comprising activating a force responsive distance sensing device for measuring height distance of said patient on said patient surface when said air mattress assembly is in a substantially inflated condition, said force responsive distance sensing cooperatively controlling an air supply for maintaining said air mattress at an optimal pressure, wherein said patient is maintained at said optimal height distance
12. The method for regulating the inflation of an air mattress assembly as claimed in claim 10, further comprising activating a light responsive sensing device for measuring height distance of said patient on said patient surface when said air mattress assembly is in a substantially inflated condition, said light responsive sensing device cooperatively controlling an air supply for maintaining said air mattress at an optimal pressure, wherein said patient is maintained at said optimal height distance
13. The force responsive device as claimed in 2, wherein said force transmitting member is made of a substantially resilient material.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A portable electronic device comprising:
a display member comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD);
a support member formed with a hard member and disposed to cover part of the display surface of the liquid crystal display (LCD); and
an operating unit including a plurality of operating buttons lined in a plurality of columns, having at least part of the plurality of operating buttons mounted on the support member, and having at least operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support member shaped to come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line or at a point,
a key sheet member having contacts formed at the positions of the respective buttons:
wherein at least part of the plurality of the operating buttons mounted on the support member are located at positions of contacts that overlap with a portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support member is positioned between the overlapping contacts and the overlapping portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support member includes a first portion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD), and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the key sheet member includes a first potion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the LCD, and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support member have at least the surfaces thereof, which are on the display member side, sloped in the direction of the thickness of the portable electronic device, and come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line,
wherein a stroke of press of the operating buttons projecting from a housing of the electronic device prevents the finger from manipulating an adjoining operating button, and
wherein the portions of the operating buttons projecting from the housing of the electronic device have a substantially triangular cross section.
2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the electronic device has a surface thereof, in which at least the operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support member are disposed, sloped toward the end of the housing opposite to the end thereof close to the display device in the direction of the thickness of the housing.
3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the support member covers a portion of the display member other than an effective display region thereof.
4. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the support member has claws for locking the support member.
5. A portable electronic device comprising:
a housing;
a display unit comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD), disposed in the upper part of the housing when the housing is seen from the front thereof;
an operating unit that is disposed in the lower part of the housing when the housing is seen from the front thereof, the operating unit including a plurality of operating buttons lined in a plurality of columns, and that has a first button located in a region thereof close to the display unit and has a second button located in a region thereof opposite to the display unit beyond the first button; and
a holder on which the operating unit is mounted and which is placed on at least part of the liquid crystal display (LCD), wherein:
a key sheet member having contacts formed at the positions of the respective buttons;
the first button mounted on the holder is located at a position of a contact that overlaps with a portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the holder is positioned between the overlapping contact and the overlapping portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD), and
wherein the holder includes a first portion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD), and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases; and
wherein the key sheet member includes a first potion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the LCD, and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
the second button has at least the surfaces thereof, which are on the display unit side, sloped in the direction of the thickness of the portable electronic device, and come into contact with a finger, with which the first button and the second button are manipulated, along a line,
wherein a stroke of press of the first button projecting from the housing prevents the finger from manipulating the second button, and
wherein the portions of the first button and the second button projecting from the housing have a substantially triangular cross section.
6. The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the housing has at least the surface thereof, in which the second button is disposed, sloped towards the end of the housing opposite to the end thereof close to the display unit in the direction of the thickness of the housing.
7. The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein: the holder has a first portion on which the first button is mounted and a second portion on which the second button is mounted; and the first portion is superposed on part of the display unit.
8. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the second portion of the holder is sloped from the terminal of the first portion towards the end of the housing, and the first portion and second portion have a step between them.
9. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the first portion of the holder is substantially parallel to the display unit.
10. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the holder is placed on a portion of the display unit other than an effective display region thereof.
11. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the holder has claws for locking the holder.
12. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the holder is formed with a hard member.
13. A portable electronic device comprising:
a display means comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD);
a support means formed with a hard member and disposed to cover part of the display surface of the liquid crystal display (LCD); and
an operating means including a plurality of operating buttons lined in a plurality of columns, having at least part of the plurality of operating buttons mounted on the support means, and having operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support means shaped to come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line or at a point,
a key sheet member having contacts formed at the positions of the respective buttons;
wherein at least part of the plurality of the operating buttons mounted on the support means are located at positions of contacts that overlap with a portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support means is positioned between the overlapping contacts and the overlapping portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support means includes a first portion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD), and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the key sheet member includes a first potion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the LCD, and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support means have at least the surfaces thereof, which are on the display means side, sloped in the direction of the thickness of the portable electronic device, and come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line,
wherein a stroke of press of the operating buttons projecting from a housing of the electronic device prevents the finger from manipulating an adjoining operating button, and
wherein the portions of the operating buttons projecting from the housing of the electronic device have a substantially triangular cross section.
14. A portable cellular phone comprising:
a display unit comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD);
a support unit formed with a hard member and placed on part of the liquid crystal display (LCD); and
an operating unit including a plurality of operating buttons lined in a plurality of columns, having at least part of the plurality of operating buttons mounted on the support unit, and having at least operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support unit shaped to come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line or at a point,
a key sheet member having contacts formed at the positions of the respective buttons:
wherein at least part of the plurality of the operating buttons mounted on the support unit are located at positions of contacts that overlap with a portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support unit is positioned between the overlapping contacts and the overlapping portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support member includes a first portion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD), and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the key sheet member includes a first potion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the LCD, and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support unit have at least the surfaces thereof, which are on the display unit side, sloped in the direction of the thickness of the portable cellular phone, and come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line,
wherein a stroke of press of the operating buttons projecting from a housing of the portable cellular phone prevents the finger from manipulating an adjoining operating button, and
wherein the portions of the operating buttons projecting from the housing of the portable cellular phone have a substantially triangular cross section.
15. The portable cellular phone according to claim 14, wherein the housing has at least a surface thereof, in which the operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support unit are disposed, sloped towards the end of the housing opposite to the end thereof close to the display unit in the direction of the thickness of the housing.
16. A portable cellular phone comprising:
a display means comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD);
a support means formed with a hard member and placed on part of the liquid crystal display (LCD); and
an operating means including a plurality of operating buttons lined in a plurality of columns, having at least part of the plurality of operating buttons mounted on the support means, and having at least operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support means shaped to come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line or at a point,
a key sheet member having contacts formed at the positions of the respective buttons;
wherein at least part of the plurality of the operating buttons mounted on the support means are located at positions of contacts that overlap with a portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support means is positioned between the overlapping contacts and the overlapping portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD),
wherein the support member includes a first portion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the liquid crystal display (LCD), and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the key sheet member includes a first potion being parallel to the overlapped portion of the LCD, and a second portion being sloping along the direction in which the thickness of the device decreases,
wherein the operating buttons other than the operating buttons mounted on the support means have at least the surfaces thereof, which are on the display means side, sloped in the direction of the thickness of the portable cellular phone, and come into contact with a finger, with which the operating buttons are manipulated, along a line,
wherein a stroke of press of the operating buttons projecting from a housing of the portable cellular phone prevents the finger from manipulating an adjoining operating button, and
wherein the portions of the operating buttons projecting from the housing of the portable cellular phone have a substantially triangular cross section.
17. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operating buttons lined in rightmost column and leftmost column are disposed closer to the liquid crystal display (LCD) than the operating buttons lined in any central column.
18. The portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the operating buttons lined in rightmost column and leftmost column are disposed closer to the liquid crystal display (LCD) than the operating buttons lined in any central column.
19. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the operating buttons lined in rightmost column and leftmost column are disposed closer to the liquid crystal display (LCD) than the operating buttons lined in any central column.
20. The portable cellular phone according to claim 14, wherein the operating buttons lined in rightmost column and leftmost column are disposed closer to the liquid crystal display (LCD) than the operating buttons lined in any central column.
21. The portable cellular phone according to claim 16, wherein the operating buttons lined in rightmost column and leftmost column are disposed closer to the liquid crystal display (LCD) than the operating buttons lined in any central column.