System and method for remotely controlling devices

Abstract

A system and a method for remotely controlling devices are provided. The system includes a foot pedal unit having a moveable member. The system further includes a transmitter operatively associated with the moveable member. The transmitter transmits a first signal in response to at least partial displacement of the moveable member when a first device is selected. The transmitter transmits a second signal in response to at least partial displacement of the moveable member when a second device is selected.

1 . A device actuation unit for controlling at least a first device based on operation of a foot pedal apparatus having a moveable member, the device actuation unit comprising: 
 a RF receiver configured to receive a first RF signal at a first time indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from a first operational position, the first RF signal having a first identifier indicating the first device is to be controlled;    a processor operably coupled to the RF receiver, the processor configured to activate the first device in response to the first RF signal;    the RF receiver further configured to receive a second RF signal at a second time after the first time, the second RF signal indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from the first operational position, the second RF signal having the first identifier indicating the first device is to be controlled; and    the processor further configured to maintain activation of the first device from substantially the first time to at least the second time if a time interval between the first and second times is less than or equal to a threshold time period.    
   
   
       2 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to de-activate the first device if the time interval is greater than or equal to the threshold time period.  
   
   
       3 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first RF signal comprises a pulsed RF signal.  
   
   
       4 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first RF signal is modulated using at least one of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, and frequency shift keying.  
   
   
       5 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first RF signal is transmitted at a frequency in at least one of a UHF frequency range, a VHF frequency range, and a microwave frequency range.  
   
   
       6 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a dental implement or a medical implement.  
   
   
       7 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises one of a drill, a position-controllable dental chair, an infrared photo-optic imaging camera, a dental irrigator, an intra-oral camera, a video capture circuit, a laser, an air-abrasion unit, an electro-surgery unit, an ultrasonic teeth cleaning unit, a piezo-ultrasonic unit, an air polishing prophylaxis device, a gum depth measurement probe, a surgical microscope with controllable focusing adjustment, a processor controlled anesthetic delivery system, and an endodontic heat source device.  
   
   
       8 . The device actuation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a video capture circuit, the processor operably communicating with the video capture circuit, the processor configured to receive the first RF signal from the RF receiver and to induce the video capture circuit to store a video image in a memory in response to the first RF signal.  
   
   
       9 . A method for remotely controlling at least a first device based on operation of a foot pedal apparatus having a movable member, comprising: 
 receiving a first RF signal at a first time indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from a first operational position, the first RF signal having a first identifier indicating the first device is to be controlled;    activating the first device in response to the first RF signal;    receiving a second RF signal at a second time after the first time, the second RF signal indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from the first operational position, the second RF signal having the first identifier indicating the first device is to be controlled; and    maintaining activation of the first device from substantially the first time to at least the second time if a time interval between the first and second times is less than or equal to a threshold time period.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising de-activating the first device if the time interval is greater than the threshold time period.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first RF signal comprises a pulsed RF signal.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first RF signal is modulated using at least one of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, and frequency shift keying.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first RF signal is transmitted at a frequency in at least one of a UHF frequency range, a VHF frequency range, and a microwave frequency range.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first device comprises a dental implement or a medical implement.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first device comprises one of a drill, a position-controllable dental chair, an infrared photo-optic imaging camera, a dental irrigator, an intra-oral camera, a video capture circuit, a laser, an air-abrasion unit, an electro-surgery unit, an ultrasonic teeth cleaning unit, a piezo-ultrasonic unit, an air polishing prophylaxis device, a gum depth measurement probe, a surgical microscope with controllable focusing adjustment, a processor controlled anesthetic delivery system, and an endodontic heat source device.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first device comprises a video capture circuit, the step of activating the first device in response to the first RF signal comprising inducing the video capture circuit to store a video image in a memory in response to the first RF signal.