EP2592906B1 - Operating unit having display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control unit for a medical lamp, in particular for a surgical lamp or examination lamp, with at least one control element for adjusting the size of a generated by the lamp at a predetermined location light field, an electronic interface for outputting control signals for the size of the light field to a control device of the luminaire and a screen for displaying the currently set size of the light field.

The light field size of a medical lamp must be adapted to the respective situation during each operation or examination. For an operator of the luminaire, knowledge of the currently set light field size is advantageous, e.g. be able to estimate the remaining margin of freedom up or down.

However, there is the problem that an indication of the value of the light field size for the operator is not always to be detected and classified at the desired speed. In other words, controlling the light field size on the basis of a common display demands increased attention of the operator, which is a considerable disadvantage especially in the case of operations to be performed.

In the WO 2008/139360 A1 a lighting system is disclosed with a plurality of controllable individual light sources. Various parameters of

Single light sources such as brightness and color temperature are adjustable by means of a radio remote control unit. In order to set a desired light distribution, specific light data are detected in a position-dependent manner by means of a detector integrated in a portable device.

The US 2011/0245939 A1 discloses a system for demonstrating various illumination patterns based on an array of mobile light towers. The light poles can be controlled by a portable computer to vary the beam angle or light intensity.

It is an object of the invention to provide a control unit for a medical lamp, which allows reliable and fast operation even under stress conditions.

The object is achieved by an operating unit having the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the operating unit is designed to reproduce a model representation of at least one lamp body of the lamp including a light cone emanating from the lamp body on the screen during operation of the lamp and in adjusting the size of the light field by means of the control element, the shape of the light cone in the representation to change.

The screen thus serves, on the one hand, to directly display the light field size and is additionally used to model the lamp body and graphically follow the light field adjustments made by an operator in this illustration. Due to the changing of the light cone screen display in synchronism with the light field adjustment, an operator can capture the current light field size much faster and more intuitively than is possible exclusively by means of numerical value or scale displays. In particular, it is possible to quickly and easily determine at which point in the range of possible light field sizes is the current setting. The operator is thus distracted to a lesser extent from the actual operation or investigation task, which is particularly important in difficult medical activities of great importance.

Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

Preferably, the operating unit is designed to change the shape of the light cone in the representation in real time during each adjustment process. This facilitates the operation of the lamp in particular. For example, Adjustments of the light field size can be made under observation of the representation on a trial basis.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the representation of the luminaire body and the light cone fills at least 40%, preferably at least 50% and particularly preferably at least 70% of the total visible height and / or the entire visible width of the screen. The largest possible representation of the luminaire body and the light cone on the available screen surface ensures good visibility. In particular, an operator can easily recognize a large format image even from a distance away from the control unit and under stress conditions.

According to a further embodiment, the representation of the lamp body and the light cone on a height and / or width of at least 20 mm, preferably at least 30 mm and more preferably at least 40 mm. Compared to a purely symbolic representation, e.g. In the form of an "icon", a larger image on the screen gives a realistic and quickly comprehensible impression of the state of the "real" light cone of the luminaire.

The representation of the lamp body and the light cone may be in particular perspective. This further enhances the recognizability of the display and contributes to an improved assessment of the light field size on the basis of the screen display.

In the illustration, a light field can additionally be reproduced, wherein the operating unit is designed to correspondingly change the size of the light field in the representation when the size of the light field is adjusted by means of the operating element.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the screen is touch-sensitive and the operating element is integrated in the screen. In particular, the screen can be designed as a touchscreen. The control element can be combined in this embodiment with the representation of the lamp body and the light cone.

In particular, the operating element can be superimposed on the illustration of the luminaire body and the light cone. The representation may thus be e.g. extend as a background image over a substantial part of the screen surface, while a control panel forming the touch screen is arranged in the foreground. This offers the advantage of a favorable utilization of the available screen area.

The operating unit can also comprise an operating element for adjusting the brightness of a light source of the luminaire, wherein the operating unit is designed to correspondingly change the brightness of the light cone in the display on the screen when the brightness of the light source is adjusted. For an operator, it may in fact be much easier to reconstruct a change in brightness on the light cone shown than in the real operation or examination field.

Furthermore, the operating unit may comprise an operating element for adjusting the color temperature of a light source of the luminaire, wherein the operating unit is designed to adjust the color tone of the light cone in the illustration on the screen when the color temperature of the light source is adjusted Screen change. Since the color temperature of a light source can be correlated with the color tones that can be displayed on a screen, this embodiment also enables an operator to quickly and intuitively detect the color temperature influence by the operating unit.

Preferably, an increase in color temperature from a minimum value to a maximum value is correlated with a change in hue of the light cone in the on-screen representation from orange to yellow to white. Particularly preferably, a color temperature of the light source of 4500 K in the representation of the light cone corresponds to a white hue. An operator can then detect and assess color temperature changes particularly quickly because low color temperatures are usually associated with reddish hues and higher color temperatures with white or bluish color temperatures. Daylight has a color temperature of approximately 4500 K. In principle, the color impression of the light source corresponding to the set color temperature can be generated as accurately as possible taking into account the display options of the respective display elements on the screen. Depending on the application, it may also be desirable, for clarification, to provide the change in hue more clearly in the light beam representation than corresponds to the change in the color temperature of the light source.

A further embodiment provides that a separate control element is provided for adjusting the size of a light field generated by the luminaire at a predetermined location, the brightness of a light source of the luminaire and the color temperature of the light source. This allows a comprehensive control of the lamp under control of the display of the lamp body and the light cone on the screen.

The operating unit may further comprise an operating element, upon actuation of which an image of different sizes is displayed on the screen, in particular an image of an operating field or examination field generated by a camera. Such integrated in the screen "zoom function" can provide an operator improved visibility. For example, a site of interest of the surgical field may be viewed at a desired magnification on the screen. To activate the display of the camera image, a switching element may be provided, upon actuation of which the screen image of the lamp body and of the light cone is hidden and instead the camera image is displayed. For the camera image is then a larger screen area available. The switching element can also be used to switch back to the representation of the lamp body and the light cone.

In the illustration, a light exit surface of the lamp body can also be reproduced, which in particular has the same color as a light field reproduced in the illustration. This allows an operator to further find and capture the representation.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Bedieneinheit für eine Operationsleuchte.

Fig. 2

zeigt die Bedieneinheit gemäß Fig. 1 in einer veränderten Einstellung für die Lichtfeldgröße der Operationsleuchte.

Fig. 3

zeigt die Bedieneinheit gemäß Fig. 1 in einer weiter veränderten Einstellung für die Lichtfeldgröße der Operationsleuchte.

Fig. 4

zeigt die Bedieneinheit gemäß Fig. 1 in einer veränderten Einstellung für die Helligkeit einer Lichtquelle der Operationsleuchte.

Fig. 5

zeigt die Bedieneinheit gemäß Fig. 1 in einer veränderten Einstellung für die Farbtemperatur einer Lichtquelle der Operationsleuchte.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

shows an operating unit according to the invention for a surgical light.

Fig. 2

shows the operating unit according to Fig. 1 in an altered setting for the light field size of the surgical light.

Fig. 3

shows the operating unit according to Fig. 1 in a further modified setting for the light field size of the surgical light.

Fig. 4

shows the operating unit according to Fig. 1 in a different setting for the brightness of a light source of the surgical light.

Fig. 5

shows the operating unit according to Fig. 1 in an altered setting for the color temperature of a light source of the surgical light.

According to Fig. 1 For example, a control unit 10 for a surgical light comprises a screen 12 designed as a touch screen, which is preferably based on a liquid crystal display or plasma display and which is accommodated in a housing 14. The housing 14 may be designed for the articulated attachment to a component of the operating light or for wall mounting. The screen 12 is about 95 mm wide and about 55 mm high and has a central region 16 and two lateral regions 17, 18. In the lateral areas 17, 18 a plurality of lateral control elements 19 are arranged, by means of which the operating light is switched on and off and various additional functions such as a camera image display can be activated. In the central area 16, three central operating elements 20A, 20B, 20C are arranged, which serve to control lighting parameters of the operating light. An electronic interface, not shown, of the operating unit 10 communicates with a plurality of actuating and control devices of the operating light and ensures that each adjustment made by the operating elements 19, 20 is implemented by outputting corresponding control signals directly into the associated change in illumination of the operating light.

The control unit 10 also includes a video interface (not shown) configured to receive a video signal from an electronic camera. The electronic camera can be integrated into the surgical light and transmit an image of the surgical field.

How out Fig. 1 It can be seen that the background in the central area 16 of the screen 12 is a luminous representation 22 which fills about 90% of the height of the screen 12 and in perspective form a lamp body 24 of the operating light including a handle 26 obliquely from below and one of the lamp body 24 outgoing Light cone 28 shows. Also, the light field 30 generated by the surgical light at the predetermined surgical field and the light exit surface 32 of the lamp body 24 is shown in the light display 22. The three central operating elements 20A, 20B, 20C are superimposed on the luminous display 22 and arranged in the foreground of the central area 16 of the screen 12.

The luminous display 22 reproduces the state of the light cone 28 realistically, taking into account the current settings of the operating elements 19, 20. The operating unit 10 is further configured to dynamically adjust the lighting display 22 in real time during operation of the operating light, as further described below with reference to FIGS Fig. 2-5 is explained in more detail.

When an operator of the operation light operates the lower operation member 20A which is provided for adjusting the size of the light field of the operation light, not only an adjustment of the real operation light is effected by means of respective actuators, but it Also, the shape of the light cone 28 and the size of the light field 30 in the light display 22 is changed so that the real changes are identified. For example, an operator may start from a maximum light field size in accordance with Fig. 1 a parallel cone of light 28 is shown in the luminous display 22, select a mean light field size by means of the lower control element 20A. It will then according to Fig. 2 a slightly convergent light cone 28 and a smaller light field 30 are shown in the luminous display 22. In a further reduction of the light field size to a minimum value is in accordance with Fig. 3 in the luminous display 22, a clearly convergent light cone 28 and a further reduced light field 30 are shown.

In a similar manner as described above, the brightness of the light cone 28 in the light display 22 is changed when an operator of the operation light operates the middle operation member 20B provided for adjusting the brightness of a light source of the operation light. For example, an operator may start from a maximum brightness according to Fig. 1 choose a minimum brightness by means of the middle control element 20B. It will then according to Fig. 4 in the light display 22 a opposite Fig. 1 darker light cone 28, a darker light field 30 and a darker light exit surface 32 are shown.

When an operator of the operation lamp operates the upper operation member 20C which is provided for adjusting the color temperature of the light source of the operation light, the color tone of the light cone 28 in the light representation 22 is changed in an analogous manner as in an adjustment of the light field size and the brightness. For example, an operator may start from a color temperature of 4500K according to Fig. 1 select a color temperature of 3600 K by means of the upper control element 20C. It will then according to Fig. 5 in the light display 22 a light cone 28, a light field 30 and a light exit surface 32 in one opposite Fig. 1 reddish hue shown. Specifically, the upper control 20C allows switching between four different color temperature values. Here, the value 3600 K is an orange hue, the value 4000 K a yellow hue and the values 4500 K and 5000 K assigned a white hue.

The adjustment of the size of the light field, the brightness and the color temperature is possible independently, with the light display 22 is adjusted in each case in real time to the changed setting. For example, For example, when the brightness of the light source is increased by means of the operating element 20B, the light cone 28 is displayed brighter, even if the light field size remains unchanged.

Due to the dynamic and updated in real time, relatively large-scale representation 22 of the lamp body 24, light exit surface 32, beam 28 and light field 30, the operator of the operating light can detect the current lighting condition much faster than if, for example, only among the three superposed controls 20A, 20B, 20C would have to pick out the desired item to check the switch or slider position on it.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

operating unit

12

screen

14

casing

16

central area

17, 18

lateral area

19

lateral control

20A, 20B, 20C

central operating element

22

lights representation

24

luminaire body

26

handle

28

light cone

30

Lichtenfeld

32

Light-emitting surface

Claims (15)

1. An operating unit (10) for a medical lamp, in particular for an operating lamp or an examination lamp, comprising at least one operating element (20A) for setting the size of a light field generated by the lamp at a predefined position;
   an electronic interface for outputting control signals for the size of the light field to a control device of the lamp; and
   a screen (12) for displaying the currently set size of the light field, characterized in that
   the operating unit (10) is configured to display a model-like representation (22) of at least one lamp body (24) of the lamp, including a light cone (28) emanating from the lamp body (24), on the screen (12) during the operation of the lamp and to change the shape of the light cone (28) in the representation (22) correspondingly on an adjustment of the size of the light field by means of the operating element (20A).
2. An operating unit in accordance with claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the operating unit (10) is configured to change the shape of the light cone (28) in the representation (22) in real time on every adjustment process.
3. An operating unit in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the representation (22) of the lamp body (24) and of the light cone (28) fills at least 40%, preferably at least 50% and particularly preferably at least 70% of the total visible height and/or of the total visible width of the screen (12),
4. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the representation (22) of the lamp body (24) and of the light cone (28) has a height and/or a width of at least 20 mm, preferably of at least 30 mm and particularly preferably of at least 40 mm.
5. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the representation (22) of the lamp body (24) is perspective.
6. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a light field (30) is furthermore displayed in the representation (22), wherein the operating unit (10) is configured also to change the size of the light field (30) in the representation (22) accordingly on an adjustment of the size of the light field by means of the operating element (20A).
7. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the screen (12) is touch-sensitive and the operating element (20A) is integrated in the screen (12).
8. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the operating element (20A) is superimposed on the representation (22) of the lamp body (24) and of the light cone (28).
9. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the operating unit (10) comprises an operating element (20B) for setting the brightness of a light source of the lamp, wherein the operating unit (10) is configured to change the brightness of the light cone (28) in the representation (22) on the screen (12) accordingly on an adjustment of the brightness of the light source.
10. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the operating unit (10) comprises an operating element (20C) for setting the color temperature of a light source of the lamp, and wherein the operating unit (10) is configured to change the hue of the light cone (28) in the representation (22) on the screen (12) on an adjustment of the color temperature of the light source.
11. An operating unit in accordance with claim 10,
    characterized in that
    an increase in the color temperature from a minimum value up to a maximum value is correlated with a change in the hue of the light cone (28) from orange over yellow to white in the representation (22) on the screen (12).
12. An operating unit in accordance with claim 10 or claim 11,
    characterized in that
    a color temperature of the light source of 4500 K in the representation (22) of the light cone (28) corresponds to a white hue.
13. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    a respective separate operating element (20A, 20B, 20C) is provided for setting the size of a light field generated by the lamp at a predefined position, for setting the brightness of a light source of the lamp as well as for setting the color temperature of the light source.
14. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the operating unit (10) comprises an operating element on whose actuation an image is represented in different sizes on the screen (12), in particular an image generated by a camera of an operation field or of an examination field.
15. An operating unit in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    a light exit surface (32) of the lamp body (24) is furthermore displayed in the representation (22) which in particular has the same color hue as a light field (30) reproduced in the representation (22).

Images