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"Imagination Light Canvas," Developed by Philips Electronics for Mercy, Encourages Visitors to "Paint With Light"

by Bradley Rose, Senior Designer | August 20, 2007
Visitors use their hands
to "paint" with 2,800 LEDs
(Light Emitting Diodes)
Click to enlarge
Philips Electronics (PHG) will donate an "Imagination Light Canvas," the first of its kind, to Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas for use in the Women's and Children's waiting area of the new Mercy hospital opening in Rogers, Arkansas, in 2008.

The canvas takes the form of an interactive light wall, 15-feet long and 6-feet high that uses touch screen and Philips technologies to animate 2,800 LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights. By using their hands to draw on the wall, visitors will be able to generate an entire spectrum of colors and shapes to "paint with light." The images will remain visible for a few minutes and then disappear. The Imagination Light Canvas can accommodate up to five people drawing at the same time.

Once in operation, the Imagination Light Canvas will only consume the daily energy equivalent of a single toaster.

Valued at over $250,000, Philips' gift qualifies as a match for the Lee and Linda Scott Challenge. When the Scotts pledged $1 million toward Mercy's $40 Million Capital Campaign in 2004, they challenged Mercy to raise an additional $1 million. After four donors accept their challenge with a gift of at least $250,000, Lee and Linda Scott will match these four pledges with an additional $250,000.

Philips' Imagination Light Canvas represents the second gift taking part in the Lee and Linda Scott Challenge. Cisco Systems made the first gift toward the Challenge in February of this year.

In announcing the gift, Paul Zeven, CEO of Philips Electronics North America, stated, "We wanted to participate in the Lee and Linda Scott challenge grant for Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas' Capital Campaign, but we wanted our gift to harness some of our advanced technologies that would provide the area residents with a positive, healing experience, delivered in a simple, easy-to-use manner, in keeping with our brand promise of 'Sense and Simplicity.'"

"We created the Imagination Light Canvas specifically for the Women's and Children's waiting room of the new hospital," he explained, "to lessen the tension, anxiety and stress that families often experience when waiting for child birth. We predict it will be a big hit with both children and adults."

Susan Barrett, president of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, stated, "Mercy is extremely grateful to Philips for helping us transform the healthcare environment for our visitors. They have joined Cisco Systems in taking the lead to meeting the challenge set by Lee and Linda Scott."

The new Mercy medical campus represents an extraordinary effort to transform the way healthcare institutions function. On one hand, it involves core issues such as patient safety and workplace simplification as well as the application of information technology to fundamental processes such as medication management and supply chain management; on the other, it entails replacing a 50-year old building with a new facility that will enable Mercy to continue its mission. Construction is slated for completion in January 2008.