US20120138067A1 - System and method for mitigating snoring in an adjustable bed - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for mitigating snoring in an adjustable bed. The systems and methods may include monitoring a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user, activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position, monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position, monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user, and after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/408,778, filed Nov. 1, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/508,958, filed Jul. 18, 2011, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
• This application is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. patent applications, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: Ser. No. 12/704,117, filed Feb. 11, 2010; Ser. No. 12/256,029, filed Oct. 22, 2008; and Ser. No. 12/269,987 filed Nov. 13, 2008.
• This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/855,255 filed Sep. 14, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field
• This invention relates to the field of adjustable beds, and more specifically to information technology facilities associated with adjustable beds.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Adjustable furniture, including chairs, couches, beds, and other furniture, may contain at least one section of component of which a user may control a feature or attribute, such as the position, vibration, motion, or the like of that section or component. The user may typically adjust the bed by using a control, which may be an on-furniture controller or a remote controller, to move an adjustable section in one or more directions of movement. Additionally, the adjustable furniture may include various types of mattresses, cushions, pillows, or similar elements to cushion the furniture for the user, and the furniture may allow for vibration, heating, cooling, or other action related to one or more of the sections.
• A typical adjustable bed may consist of a wood decking for each of the sections of the bed connected together with hinges to allow the various positions between the sections. There are actuators connected between the bed frame and the wood decking for moving the adjustable sections into user-desired positions. The adjustable bed may have a “wall hugging” feature that maintains a consistent distance between the mattress and the wall as the bed is adjusted. Some adjustable beds may use wooden or plastic slats to support the mattress instead of a solid wood platform.
• The adjustable bed may have at least one actuator to position the adjustable bed sections. In some cases, there is one actuator to position more than one, such as positioning both the thigh and foot sections with one actuator. There may also be more than one actuator for each adjustable section.
• Hospitals have used adjustable beds for many years to provide comfortable and medically required positions, and many home users have adjustable furniture because of a medical issue and therefore require certain positions, movements, or settings (such as vibration, heating, cooling or the like) to aid recovery, positioning to relieve discomfort as a result of pain, or the like. These users, whether at home or in a medical environment such as a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, or long-term care facility, may, because of these issues, spend significant amounts of time in bed, and some users may be confined to spending long periods of time in or on furniture. With aging populations in many countries, such as the United States, more and more users face such confinement.
• Associated with the trend for users to spend more time in sedentary positions, such as in bed, is a trend toward increasing use of technology in home and medical environments, including in rooms where users have adjustable furniture. Such technology includes increasingly sophisticated computer and networking technology, entertainment technology, information technology, and the like. While many existing adjustable beds provide the basic requirements of moving sections to positions that are required by a user, a need exists for adjustable furniture that works in better association with other technologies that are capable of being deployed in the environments in which the furniture is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Methods and systems are disclosed herein for improved integration of adjustable furniture, such as beds, with the technologies associated with the environments in which the beds are used. Such methods and systems include facilitating using control systems for the adjustable furniture to control a wide range of other technologies; actuating a wide range of actions as a result of events, states or attributes associated with the adjustable furniture, use of the adjustable furniture, or users of the furniture; and controlling the adjustable bed as result of events, states or attributes of the environment of the adjustable bed.
• It should be understood that where context permits as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art references herein to adjustable beds should be understood to be capable of encompassing a range of adjustable furniture facilities, including beds, couches, chairs, love seats, and the like.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include storing preferences associated with an adjustable furniture facility and at least one second system in a plurality of memory locations, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a modular controller for controlling an adjustable furniture facility and at least one second system associated with the adjustable furniture facility in a plurality of memory locations, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a global command input to command more than one facility associated with an adjustable furniture facility using a single input, wherein the global command input is enabled by a modular controller capable of controlling an adjustable furniture facility and an second system associated with the adjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a global command input to command more than one facility associated with an adjustable furniture facility using a single input, wherein the global command input is enabled by a modular controller capable of controlling an adjustable furniture facility and an second system associated with the adjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein, wherein the modular controller has a touch screen for accepting user input.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a programmable logic controller in a control facility for an adjustable furniture facility. The programmable logic controller may control the bed or any of the devices or systems disclosed herein that are associated with the environment of the furniture.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a programmable logic controller in a control facility for an adjustable furniture facility and an second system, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include storing memory for controlling an adjustable furniture facility, wherein at least a portion of the memory is stored remotely from the bed.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include storing memory used to store data used for controlling an adjustable furniture facility and an second system, wherein at least a portion of the memory is stored remotely from the bed, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing memory to store data for controlling an adjustable furniture facility, wherein the memory is removable and replaceable.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing memory to store data for controlling an adjustable furniture facility and an second system, wherein the memory is removable and replaceable, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a remote controller for an adjustable furniture facility that has at least one bed position command set and at least one command set enabling a user to at least one of play, adjust volume, fast forward, and rewind using a device associated with the bed.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using two-way communications between a remote control facility and a controller for an adjustable furniture facility.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using two-way communications between a remote control facility and a controller for an adjustable furniture facility and an second system, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a cellular phone to provide communication with the control box for an adjustable furniture facility, wherein entering a command on the phone controls a function of the adjustable furniture facility.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a cellular phone to provide communication with the control box for an adjustable furniture facility and an second system, wherein entering a command on the phone controls a function of the adjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a touch screen interface to allow a user to provide a control command to adjust a bed position of an adjustable furniture facility.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a touch screen to provide a control command to adjust a bed position and to provide a control function to a second system associated with the adjustable furniture facility wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a controller for an adjustable furniture facility, the controller capable of controlling a function of the bed and controlling an MP3 player.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a controller for an adjustable furniture facility, the controller capable of managing at least one wireless communication function, the wireless communication function a BLUETOOTH communication, an 802.11 communication, a WIFI communication, and a peer-to-peer communication.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a controller for an adjustable furniture facility and a second system, the controller capable of managing at least one wireless communication function, the wireless communication function a BLUETOOTH communication, an 802.11 communication, a WIFI, and a peer-to-peer communication, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a control system for an adjustable furniture facility, the control system accepting spoken commands to control a function of the adjustable furniture facility.
• The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a control system for an adjustable furniture facility and a second system, the control system accepting spoken commands to control a function of the adjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system or other device or system, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frame position of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the touch sensor, for communication control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the touch sensor.
• In embodiments, the touch sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor. In embodiments, the slider may be in the form of a dial, a linear strip, a curvilinear strip, a curve, and the like.
• In embodiments, the transmitter may be a transceiver and may be adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed and receive data from the adjustable bed.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a massage motor setting of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the touch sensor, for communication control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the touch sensor, for communication control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of an audiovisual system. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of an audio system. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of a remote computer facility. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of a HVAC system. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of a kitchen appliance. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of an alarm system. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter of a vehicle system. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touch sensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The second touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a second parameter of the adjustable bed facility. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch screen on a front face of the handheld housing, a plurality of images presented on the touch screen each representative of a different function associated with an adjustable bed, a transmitter for the communication of the control signal to the adjustable bed, and the like. Each of the plurality of images may be coded to generate a control signal in response to an interaction with the image.
• In embodiments, at least one of the images may be adapted to produce a control signal when touched and may produce an additional control signal when touched for a predetermined period of time. In embodiments, at least one of the images may be configured to accept an interaction by sliding across the image.
• In embodiments, the adjustable bed handheld remote control may include an auxiliary image presented on the touch screen, which may be representative of a function associated with an auxiliary system. The auxiliary system may include an audiovisual system, an audio system, a computer system, an HVAC system, a kitchen appliance, an alarm system, a vehicle system, and the like.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface, and may receive data indicative of a receipt of the control signals from the adjustable bed.
• In embodiments, the transceiver may operate following BLUETOOTH protocol. In embodiments, the transceiver may be an RF transceiver.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frame position of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface, and may receive data indicating that the frame position has been achieved by the adjustable bed.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a massage motor setting of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface, and may receive data indicating that the massage motor setting has been achieved by the adjustable bed.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, a receiver and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transmitter may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The receiver may receive data indicative of a receipt of the control signals from the adjustable bed.
• In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at different frequencies.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, a receiver and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frame position of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The receiver may receive data indicating that the frame position has been achieved by the adjustable bed.
• In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at different frequencies.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, a receiver and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a massage motor setting of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The receiver may receive data indicating that the massage motor setting has been achieved by the adjustable bed.
• In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at different frequencies.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface and may receive data indicative of an error encountered in a control system of the adjustable bed.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit diagnostic control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed to cause a controller of the adjustable bed to go into a diagnostic mode and may receive data indicative receive data indicative of the diagnostic mode from the adjustable bed.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frame position of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive data indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed and may display information on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the new setting.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive data indicating that the frame position has been achieved and may display information on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the frame position.
• In embodiments, the information displayed on the adjustable bed remote control may be a position number associated with the frame position.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a massage setting of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive data indicating that the massage setting has been achieved and may display information on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the massage setting.
• In embodiments, the information displayed on the adjustable bed remote control may be a position number associated with the massage setting.
• In embodiments, a method for displaying a number indicative of the data on a handheld remote control may be provided. The method may include sending a control signal to an adjustable bed to change an adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed, causing the adjustable bed to change the adjustable parameter in accordance with the control signal, causing the adjustable bed to send data indicative of a new setting indicative of the changed adjustable parameter and displaying a number indicative of the data on a handheld remote control.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive data indicating a new setting of the adjustable bed and may display graphical information on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the new setting.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, and a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed and displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter.
• In embodiments, the graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated by the adjustable bed.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, and a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed, adjusting a parameter of an auxiliary system, displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter and displaying a graphical representation of the auxiliary system parameter.
• In embodiments, the graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated by the adjustable bed.
• In embodiments, the graphical representation of the auxiliary system parameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated by the auxiliary system.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, a receiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface. The transmitter may be adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The receiver may be electronically coupled to the processor and may be adapted to receive data from the adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed. The user interface may display graphical information on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the new setting.
• In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at different frequencies.
• In embodiments, a method for displaying a graphical representation of the adjusted parameter may be provided. The method may include sending a control signal to an adjustable bed from a handheld remote control to adjust a parameter of the adjustable bed, and displaying a graphical representation on the handheld remote control in response to receiving information from the adjustable bed indicating that the parameter has been adjusted. The graphical representation may be illustrative of the adjusted parameter.
• In embodiments, a method for displaying a graphical representation of the adjusted parameter may be provided. The method may include sending a control signal at a first frequency to an adjustable bed from a handheld remote control to adjust a parameter of the adjustable bed and displaying a graphical representation on the handheld remote control in response to receiving information at a second frequency from the adjustable bed indicating that the parameter has been adjusted. The graphical representation may be illustrative of the adjusted parameter.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch screen user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface and may be adapted to receive data from the adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed. The graphical information indicative of the new setting may be displayed on the touch screen user interface and the user may adjust the parameter by interacting with the graphical information displayed on the touch screen.
• An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remote control that may include a handheld housing, a touch screen user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, a receiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface. The receiver may be adapted to receive data from the adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed. The graphical information indicative of the new setting may be displayed on the touch screen user interface and the user may adjust the parameter by interacting with the graphical information displayed on the touch screen.
• In embodiments, a method for adjusting a parameter associated with the adjustable bed may be provided. The method may include presenting an interactive graphical representation illustrative of an adjustable parameter of an adjustable bed, manipulating the interactive graphical representation, sending a control signal to the adjustable bed in accordance with the manipulation and causing the adjustable bed to respond to the control signal.
• In embodiments, a method for causing the bed massage motor to be set according to a user selected setting may be provided. The method may include storing multiple values that may define a range of available settings for a bed massage motor, receiving a request to set the bed massage motor as the user selected setting, determining a value amongst the multiple values which may represent the user selected setting and causing the bed massage motor to be set to the user selected setting by using the value that represents the user selected setting. Storing of the multiple values may include storing a table having multiple entries. Each one of the multiple entries may specify one of the ranges of available settings for the bed massage motor.
• In embodiments, the user selected setting may be an intensity setting, a mode setting, a frequency setting, or some other type of setting.
• In embodiments, a method for storing an association of a current setting value with a user-selected position of the bed massage motor may be provided. The method may include storing multiple values that may define a range of available settings for a bed massage motor, receiving a request to save a setting of the bed massage motor as a user selected setting, determining which of the multiple values represents a current setting of the bed massage motor to provide a current setting value and storing an association of the current setting value with the user-selected position. Storing multiple values may include storing a table having multiple entries. The multiple entries may specify one of the ranges of available settings for the bed massage motor. Storing the association of the current setting value with the user-selected setting may include adding a store indication to each one of the multiple entries of the table except for the one of the multiple entries representing the current setting value.
• In embodiments, a method for storing an association of a current setting value with a user-selected position of the bed massage motor may be provided. The method may include storing a plurality of values that may define a range of available settings for a bed massage motor, receiving a request to save a setting of the bed massage motor as a user selected setting, determining which of the multiple values may represent a current setting of the bed massage motor to provide a current setting value and storing the association of the current setting value with the user-selected position. Storing multiple values may include storing a table having multiple entries. The multiple entries may specify one of the ranges of available settings for the bed massage motor. Storing the association of the current setting value with the user-selected setting may include adding a store indication to the table entry representing the current setting value.
• In embodiments, a method for storing an association of a current setting value with a user-selected position of a bed function may be provided. The method may include storing a plurality of values that may define a range of available settings for a bed function, receiving a request to save a setting of the bed function as a user selected setting, determining which of the multiple values may represent a current setting of the bed function to provide a current setting value and storing the association of the current setting value with the user-selected position. Storing multiple values may include storing a table having multiple entries. The multiple entries may specify one of the ranges of available settings for the bed function. Storing the association of the current setting value with the user-selected setting may include adding a store indication to the table entry representing the current setting value.
• In an aspect of the invention, an adjustable bed handheld remote control may include a handheld housing; a user interface on a front face of the handheld housing, wherein the user interface is adapted to facilitate a user adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed; a transmitter, electronically coupled to a processor that receives input from the user interface, adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the user interface; a receiver, electronically coupled to the processor, adapted to receive data from the adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed; and a piezoelectric circuit disposed inside the handheld housing, wherein the piezoelectric circuit is adapted to indicate accomplishment of the new setting of the adjustable bed, the indication being marked with vibration of the handheld remote control.
• In an aspect, a method for operating an adjustable bed may include receiving information about a first wireless interface of a remote control at a first wireless communication module from the remote control, configuring a second wireless communication module using the information, the second wireless communication module adapted for communications with an adjustable bed and the second wireless communication module employing a second wireless interface incompatible with the first wireless interface, receiving a command for controlling the adjustable bed from the remote control through the first wireless interface, processing the command to produce a control signal suitable for communication over the second wireless interface that causes the adjustable bed to physically respond to the command, and transmitting the control signal through the second wireless interface. The incompatible wireless communications modules may be incompatible at a physical layer. The information may include a MAC address. Establishing communications may include establishing communications via a connection-based protocol. The command may be a lay-flat command, and wherein the control signal activates an actuator to move the adjustable bed toward a laying-flat position limit. The method where the command is a lay-flat command may further include detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by the actuator, detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response to the halt, and deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of the timeout period. Receiving information may be done via Bluetooth and receiving a command may be done via WiFi.
• In an aspect, a device may include a first wireless interface controlled by a first wireless communication module adapted for communications with a remote control, a second wireless interface controlled by a second wireless communication module adapted for communications with an adjustable bed, wherein the first wireless interface is incompatible with the second wireless interface, and a processor programmed to receive a first signal from the remote control through the first wireless communication module, to identify an adjustable bed command in the first signal, to generate a second signal suitable for communication to the adjustable bed through the second wireless communication module, and to communicate the second signal to the adjustable bed. The incompatible wireless communication modules may be incompatible at a physical layer. The information may include a MAC address. The computer program code, when run by the processor, may further perform a step of establishing connection-based communications between the second hardware wireless communication module and the remote wireless interface. The device may further include the adjustable bed, and an actuator disposed with the adjustable bed, the actuator that responds to the control signal by moving the adjustable bed into a lay-flat position, wherein the command is a lay-flat command, and wherein the computer program code, when run by the processor, may further perform the following steps: detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by the actuator, detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response to the halt, and deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of the timeout period. The first wireless interface may be a Bluetooth interface and the second wireless interface may be a WiFi interface.
• In an aspect, a computer program product may be embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that, when run by a processor, may perform the following steps: receiving, via a first hardware wireless communication module, information about a remote wireless interface, configuring a second hardware wireless communication module using the information, receiving, via the second hardware wireless communication module, a command for controlling an adjustable bed, and producing, in response to the command, a control signal that causes the adjustable bed to physically respond to the command. The computer code, when run by the processor, may further perform the following steps: detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by an actuator, detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response to the halt, and deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of the timeout period. Receiving information may be done via Bluetooth and receiving a command may be done via WiFi.
• In an aspect, a computer program product may be embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product including computer code that, when run by at least one computing device, may perform the steps of: receiving, via a first communication channel, a first command for controlling an adjustable bed, this step of receiving causing a timeout period to begin, controlling the adjustable bed in response to the first command, failing to receive, via the first communication channel and prior to expiration of the timeout period, a second command for controlling the adjustable bed, attempting, after expiration of the timeout period, to receive the second command by alternating between tuning to the first communication channel and tuning to a second communication channel, receiving the second command while tuned to one of the first and the second communication channels, and after receiving the second command, attempting to receive a third command by remaining tuned to one of the first and the second communication channels.
• In an aspect, a method of synchronously controlling a plurality of adjustable beds using a single remote control may include receiving an input for controlling an adjustable bed, transmitting, responsive to the input, a bed-control command to a first adjustable bed, starting a first timeout period in response to the act of transmitting to the first adjustable bed, failing to receive a first acknowledgement from the first adjustable bed prior to expiration of the first timeout period, transmitting, responsive to expiration of the first timeout period, the bed-control command to a second adjustable bed, starting a second timeout period in response to the act of transmitting to the second adjustable bed and retransmitting, responsive to an earlier expiration of the second timeout period and receipt of an acknowledgement from the second adjustable bed, the bed-control command to the first adjustable bed.
• In an aspect, a method in an adjustable bed may include activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed toward a laying-flat position limit, detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by the actuator, detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response to the halt, deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of the timeout period.
• In an aspect, a system may include a communication module including both hardware and a protocol stack capable of communicating at least at 1 Mbps via a broadcast network, a peer-to-peer network, a secure authenticated network, a star network, a shared uni-directional network, a shared bi-directional network, an ad-hoc automatically shared network, a scanning mode network, a practical mesh network, and a shared cluster network, a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to the communication module, a bed-lift motor operatively coupled to the programmable logic controller, and a computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium and operatively coupled to the programmable logic controller, the computer program product including computer code that, when run by the programmable logic controller, may perform the steps of: receiving, via the communication module, a command for controlling an adjustable bed, and producing, in response to the command, a control signal that causes the bed-lift motor to move a part of the adjustable bed. The computer code, when run by the programmable logic controller, may further perform the steps of: detecting movement of the part of the adjustable bed caused by the bed-lift motor, detecting a halt in the movement, starting a timeout period in response to the halt, and deactivating the bed-lift motor in response to expiration of the timeout period.
• In an aspect, a method in an adjustable bed may include monitoring a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user, activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position, monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position, monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user, and after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position. Monitoring the sensor for the first reading may include monitoring the sensor in response to receipt of an anti-snore-mode activation signal from a remote control.
• In an aspect, a system may include an adjustable bed including an actuator that moves an adjustable portion of the adjustable bed between a plurality of positions, a sensor that produces a reading indicative of a snoring user, a handheld remote control including a touchscreen graphical user interface, the remote control adapted to transmit an anti-snore-mode activation signal in response to user selection of an icon via the interface, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor, the controller adapted to carry out the following steps: receiving the activation signal, monitoring, in response to receipt of the activation signal, a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position, and monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position. The controller may be further adapted to carry out the following steps: monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user, and after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.
• In an aspect, a method of controlling an adjustable bed may include in response to an indication by a user that the user would like the adjustable bed in a position to mitigate snoring, causing a bed frame position controller to move a mechanical component of the adjustable bed to a pre-selected position and causing the controller to confirm that the pre-selected position has been achieved by monitoring the position of the mechanical component and comparing the position of the mechanical component with the pre-selected position. The bed frame position controller may maintain the pre-selected position in a table of positions along with an indication that the pre-selected position is the position to mitigate snoring. The user may initiate the indication by making a selection on a hand held remote control. The hand held remote control may include a touch screen graphical user interface and the selection is made by touching a selectable icon indicative of the position to mitigate snoring. The hand held remote control may include a telephone feature. The hand held remote control may include a cell phone feature. The hand held remote control may include a VoIP feature.
• In an aspect, a method of controlling a plurality of adjustable beds may include using a remote control of a first adjustable bed to command the first adjustable bed to perform a function, adapting the first adjustable bed to communicate with a second adjustable bed, causing the first adjustable bed to communicate at least one of the command and a current setting of the adjustable bed to the second adjustable bed, and causing the second adjustable bed to interpret the communication. The communication may be interpreted as a command.
• In an aspect, a method of wireless communication between adjustable beds may include adapting a first adjustable bed to wirelessly communicate with a second adjustable bed, causing the first adjustable bed to wirelessly communicate at least one of a command, a setting, a preference, a software update, and a report to the second adjustable bed, and adapting the second adjustable bed to receive the wireless communication. The wireless communication protocol may be one of radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, and WIFI.
• These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
• The systems and methods described herein may be understood by reference to the following figures:
• FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of an adjustable bed facility and associated components.
• FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of an adjustable bed facility and associated components.
• FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of two methods of maintaining user memory for storing user preferred adjustable bed positions.
• FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a remote control used to command the adjustable bed facility.
• FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of the shipping of a mattress retainer bracket in the upside down position.
• FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of the shipping of a mattress retainer bracket in the upright position
• FIG. 5A shows a top view of a vibration motor within an opening of an adjustable bed facility section lateral surface.
• FIG. 5B shows a side view of a vibration motor within an opening of an adjustable bed facility lateral surface.
• FIG. 6 shows a typical hospital adjustable bed.
• FIG. 7 shows one use of actuators connected to the bed frame and the adjustable sections.
• FIG. 8 shows more than one actuator for each adjustable bed section; in this case, there are two actuators for each adjustable section.
• FIG. 9 shows an adjustable bed using slats instead of wood decking for the foundation of the adjustable sections.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B show an adjustable bed facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 shows operation of an adjustable bed facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 shows a hinge joint between the frames/sections of an adjustable bed facility.
• FIG. 13 shows a gusset in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 14 shows mounting of a control box, a receiver, and a power supply on an adjustable bed facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 15 shows an accelerometer, a control box, and a processor of an adjustable bed facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 depicts remote control devices with slider controls in circular and linear configurations.
• FIG. 17A depicts a remote control to control a frame position of an adjustable bed.
• FIG. 17B depicts a remote control to control a massage motor setting of an adjustable bed.
• FIG. 17C depicts a remote control to control an adjustable parameter of an adjustable bed.
• FIG. 18A depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and an audiovisual system.
• FIG. 18B depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and an audio system.
• FIG. 18C depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and a computer facility.
• FIG. 18D depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and a HVAC system.
• FIG. 18E depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and a kitchen appliance.
• FIG. 18F depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and a vehicle system.
• FIG. 18G depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and an alarm system.
• FIG. 18H depicts a remote control for controlling first and second parameters of an adjustable bed.
• FIG. 19 depicts a remote control for controlling the parameters of an adjustable bed.
• FIGS. 20A-L depict a remote control for controlling the parameters of anadjustable bed1824 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGS. 21A and 21B depict a remote control with a touch screen user interface in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 22 depicts a flow chart for changing an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed.
• FIGS. 23 and 24 depicts a flow chart for displaying a graphical representation of an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGS. 25 and 26 depict a flow chart for adjusting an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 27 depicts a remote control with a piezoelectric circuit of an adjustable bed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 28 depicts a remote control and communication module of an adjustable bed facility.
• FIG. 29 depicts a flow chart for communicating with and through an adjustable bed facility.
• FIG. 30 depicts an interaction diagram for communications between a remote control and a number of adjustable bed facilities.
• FIG. 31 depicts a flow chart for controlling more than one adjustable bed facility using a single remote control.
• FIG. 32 depicts an adjustable bed facility outfitted with a motion sensor and related logic.
• FIG. 33 depicts a flow chart for laying an adjustable bed facility flat.
• FIG. 34 depicts an embodiment of a controller and a communications module.
• FIG. 35 depicts an embodiment of an adjustable frame for the head.
• FIG. 36 depicts an adjustable bed facility.
• FIG. 37 depicts a user, adjustable bed facility, and mattress instrumented with sensors.
• FIG. 38 depicts a flow chart for adjusting an adjustable bed facility.
• FIG. 39 depicts a remote control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• In the following description, terms such as ‘adjustable mattress’, ‘adjustable bed’, ‘adjustable bed facility’ and the like are used interchangeably to refer generally to an apparatus including a sleeping or resting surface with one or more adjustable or moveable sub-surfaces that can be positioned for user comfort and/or convenience, unless a specific meaning is explicitly provided or otherwise clear from the context.
• As users spend more and more time in adjustable beds they may desire to have a level of independence by controlling devices that may be in the room from the adjustable bed. The devices and facilities that users may wish to control may include audio equipment, video equipment, lamps, air purification facilities, power outlets, and the like. It may be desirable for the user to control these devices and facilities from the adjustable bed without having to leave the bed or ask for aid from someone else. For example, the user may be confined to the bed and may want the simple ability to control the lights around the adjustable bed.
• In an embodiment, an adjustable bed may not be the only rest facility to benefit from position and additional function control. Users may also use beds, adjustable beds, adjustable chairs, adjustable couches, and the like to provide comfortable positions when the user may have limited mobility. For example, a user that has had hip replacement surgery may not be confined to bed but may require a chair or couch to be adjustable to provide a comfortable sitting position while providing control of other devices within the room to limit the number of times the user must get up and adjust the devices. In an embodiment, while recovering from a surgery, an injury, an illness, or the like, the user may use more than one type of rest facility. The user may require confinement to an adjustable bed for a time and then, with health improvement, be able to move to either an adjustable chair or adjustable couch.
• Aspects of the invention may be described as an adjustable bed, but it may be understood that the same aspects may be applied to other rest facilities that may include a bed, a couch, a chair, or the like. Such rest facilities may be in a home, a car, a recreational vehicle, a cruise ship, an airline, a train, or anywhere that a user required them, and they may be fixed or mobile.
• One aspect of this invention may be to provide the adjustable bed with more than one power option to move the adjustable bed sections. The adjustable bed may use electric motors with gearboxes, pneumatic springs, hydraulic springs, or the like to actuate the adjustable bed sections. There may be both pricing and durability reasons to have the different actuation types.
• Another aspect of this invention may be to provide the ability to provide additional functionality to the adjustable bed by using modular controls that may be able to communicate with the user's interface control. The modular controls may be designed to control a number of additional devices and facilities that may include audio devices, video devices, lamps, air purification facilities, power outlets, and the like.
• Another aspect of the adjustable bed may be to provide a support structure to support the bed materials (e.g. mattress), motors, actuators, hinges between bed sections, and the like. The support structure may be a frame structure to provide the support yet remain lightweight.
• Another aspect may be the use of replaceable memory to maintain the bed memory and software applications. The replaceable memory may allow user specific information to be moved from one adjustable bed to another adjustable bed. This may be useful in care facilities where a user may move from one bed to another bed during the stay in the care facility. If the user has saved a preferred positioning of the adjustable bed, when the user moves to another bed, the preferred positioning settings may be moved to the other bed with the user.
• Another aspect of the adjustable bed may be to provide safety features that may control the retraction of the adjustable bed sections to reduce the risk of crushing an object that may be under the adjustable bed. Many other aspects of the present invention will become apparent by reading the disclosure herein.
• FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of the various components of anadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may be made up of a plurality of layers that may include amechanical layer104, asensor layer108, acontrol layer110, and anetwork layer112, and one or moreauxiliary systems114. In addition, theadjustable bed facility102 may interact with aremote control118 and the like. In an embodiment, theauxiliary systems114 may include an entertainment system114a, a kitchen appliance114b, a vehicle control system114c, a light control system114d, a home control system114e, and the like. In an embodiment, theauxiliary systems114 may be combined with theadjustable bed facility102, stand-alone devices, or the like.
• In an embodiment, themechanical layer104 may include physical aspects of theadjustable bed facility102 that provide support for the user. Themechanical layer104 may include actuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors, supports, and safety brackets of theadjustable bed facility102. These support and connection members may have any shape or configuration required to provide the support and connections needed by the various other components.
• In an embodiment, thesensor layer108 may include a plurality of sensors of various types. Thesensor layer108 may be interchangeably referred assensor108 within this disclosure. The sensors may be mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, bio-sensors, and so on. In embodiments, the sensor(s) may be associated with the various mechanical and electrical components that make up themechanical layer104. For example, the sensor(s) may be associated with an actuator to assess the position of the actuator or the mechanical pressure being exerted on the actuator or some other mechanical component. The sensor(s) may also be associated with an electrical component to assess the electrical component's condition. In other embodiments, the sensors may be associated with the mattress such that sleeping, resting, sitting, and other user conditions can be assessed. The information from the sensor lay may be fed back into a processor (e.g. within the electrical layer) for processing and response control. The response control may alter a condition of the adjustable bed, the mattress, an auxiliary system, or the like. The information from the sensor layer may also be processed and communicated to a remote control.
• In an embodiment, thecontrol layer110 may coordinate the electronic requirements of theadjustable bed facility102. Thecontrol layer110 may interface with thesensor layer108, thenetwork layer112, theremote control118, theauxiliary systems114, and the like. In an embodiment, thecontrol layer110 may receive control requests from a user for controlling theadjustable bed facility102 functions by interfacing with theremote control118. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may communicate with thesensor layer108 so that the latter may transmit the received requests to thecontrol layer110. In an embodiment, thecontrol layer110 may be combined with theadjustable bed facility102, or it may be attached to theadjustable bed facility102, or it may be a modular stand-alone device, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontrol layer110 and thesensor layer108 may be individual devices or a combined device.
• In an embodiment, thecontrol layer110 may also control functions of theadjustable bed facility102 using a wired or wireless technology. In an embodiment, the wireless technology may include WIFI, BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like. The various controlled functions may be able to communicate using the wireless technology, and may use an intermediate wireless receiver, a router, or the like to communicate with thecontrol layer110.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may be a user controlled device to provide control commands to thecontrol layer110 relating to certain functions of theadjustable bed facility102. These functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g., up or down), vibration control, functions of modular devices, or the like. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may communicate with the control box using wired communication, wireless communication, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may use a radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. If the remote communicates using a wireless technology, the communication may be with thesensor layer108, and thesensor layer108 may pass the command request to thecontrol layer110.
• In embodiments, the remote control may include a cellular phone or smart phone, such as and without limitation an IPHONE, or the like. Theremote control118 may be used to direct any and all functions of theadjustable bed facility102, for example by receiving user input, converting the input into control signals, and transmitting the control signals to theadjustable bed facility102. Receiving user input may include receiving touch screen inputs, voice inputs, picture or video inputs, acceleration inputs (e.g., rotating theremote control118 relative to the acceleration of gravity, shaking theremote control118, and so on), magnetic inputs (e.g., orienting theremote control118 relative to Earth's magnetic field), and so on. For example, an IPHONE app may be used to control any of the functions of the adjustable bed and/or associated devices.
• In an embodiment, thenetwork layer112 may be used to connect thecontrol layer110 to a network connection. In an embodiment, the network connection may be a LAN, a WAN, an Internet, an intranet, peer-to-peer network, or the like. Using thenetwork connection112, thecontrol layer110 may be able to communicate with computer devices on the network. In an embodiment, thenetwork layer112 may facilitate wired or wireless connection. In an embodiment, thenetwork layer112 may be combined with theadjustable bed facility102, or it may be attached to thenetwork layer112, or it may be a modular stand-alone device, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theauxiliary systems114 may provide additional functionality to theadjustable bed facility102 or the user of theadjustable bed facility102 that may include a plurality of functional devices, for example, entertainment system114a, kitchen appliance114b, vehicle control system114c, light control system114d, home control system114e, child monitoring system, or the like. This additional functionality may be considered optional equipment that may be offered with theadjustable bed facility102 or used in the environment associated with theadjustable bed facility102. In an exemplary scenario, the user may be able to control the audio-visual system via theremote control118. The user may control the volume of the audio-visual system of the entertainment system114ausing an interface provided on theremote control118. Theremote control118 may send the signals to thesensor layer108. Thesensor layer108 may transmit the signals to thecontrol layer110. Thecontrol layer110 may generate the control signals and transmit to the audio-visual system. In another exemplary scenario, the user may be able to control the light control system114d, for example, to turn the light on/off, and dim the light or the like. The control signals may be generated and transmitted to the light control system114d. Similarly, theremote control118 may provide the input to control the kitchen appliance114b, the vehicle system114c(e.g., a remote starter for the vehicle), or other auxiliary systems as shown inFIG. 1.
• In an embodiment, theauxiliary systems114 and theremote control118 may have wired or wireless communication. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like.
• A remote control may be configured to support more than one bed, such as to allow a parent who uses a remote controlled adjustable bed to also monitor and/or control a child's adjustable bed. Multi-bed remote monitoring and control may allow a parent to monitor status and activity associated with a child's bed even when the parent is in another room, such as a master bedroom while the child is in his/her own bedroom. In an environment with more than two adjustable beds, the remote may be paired with one or more of the beds to allow access to certain features, such as monitoring and control features on the remote for the paired beds. In an example, a parent may have an infant and a nine-year old each sleeping in separate rooms in an adjustable bed. The parent may pair a remote control (that may also be used by the parent to control a master bedroom adjustable bed) with the infant's bed for certain features and with the nine-year old child's bed for other features.
• Now referring toFIG. 1B, a block diagram of the various components of theadjustable bed facility102 is shown. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 may be made up of a number of devices and facilities that may include asensor108,actuators120, springs122,mattresses124, asub-frame128, askeleton structure130,vibration motors132, supports134,safety brackets138, anelectronic facility140, anair purification facility160, a zoneclimate control system162, aremote control118, a memory facility164, amemory connection174, anetwork connection178, and the like. In an embodiment, theelectronic facility140 may include awire harness142,communications module144,modular controls148, acontroller150,power outlets154, apower connection158, and the like. In an embodiment, the memory facility164 may include areceiver learn facility168,bed memory170, abackup battery172, and the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility168,bed memory170, andbackup battery172 may not be part of the memory facility164, but may be combined into other facilities or devices, be stand-alone devices, or the like.
• In an embodiment, the physical aspects of theadjustable bed facility102 that provide support for the user may include theactuators120, springs122,mattresses124, asub-frame128, askeleton structure130,vibration motors132, supports134, andsafety brackets138.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may provide the central structure that the other physical aspects may interact with. In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may provide direct support to themattress124, springs122, and the like. In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be a lightweight frame structure that may provide both the strength and rigidity required to properly support themattress124 and springs122. In embodiments, theskeleton structure130 may use materials that include metal, plastic, wood, or the like; the materials may be used individually or in combination.
• In an embodiment, springs122 may be used with amattress124, instead of amattress124, or the like. In an embodiment, thesprings122 may be a standard bed spring system (e.g. coils within a wire framework), individual coil springs, individual foam springs, air springs, or the like. In an embodiment, the individual springs (e.g. coil, foam, or air) may be used to provide variable firmness to provide comfort to the user. For example, thesprings122 may be less firm or firmer in a local area to provide the user with the support that may be required for a body location that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back, neck). Springs that may have local firmnesses will be described in more detail below.
• In an embodiment, themattress124 may include foam, feathers, springs122, material, or the like. In an embodiment, the different materials may be used individually or in combination. The mattress may be intended to provide the user with a firmness that provides for the comfort requirements of the user.
• In an embodiment, themattress124 may be anair mattress124. In an embodiment, theair mattress124 may be constructed using a single chamber, a plurality of chambers, a plurality of individual chambers, a combination of chamber shapes, or the like. In an embodiment, theair mattress124 may be inflated to various pressures that may provide the user with the desired comfort level. In an embodiment, there may beseparate air mattresses124 for each of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. For example, there may beseparate air mattresses124 for the head, torso, and foot sections of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the inflation pressure of theindividual air mattresses124 may be different from each other depending on user settings.
• In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 sections may each containindividual air mattresses124. For example, the head, torso, and foot sections may each have individual air mattresses that may be individually controlled for air pressures and therefore firmness. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the firmness of theindividual air mattresses124 using aremote control118. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may have indicators for each of the firmnessadjustable air mattresses124. For example, theremote control118 may have keys for increasing or decreasing the pressures of the individual air mattresses. Using theremote control118, the user may be able to adjust the firmness of the adjustable bed facility sections.
• In an embodiment, theair mattress124 may use a common air supply source facility as anair actuator120. In an embodiment, acontroller150 may control both theair mattress124 andair actuator120. Thecontroller150 may provide controlling commands to both theair mattress124 andair actuators120.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may have structural members that support themattress124 and springs122 and may also provide support and connections for theactuators120,sub-frame128, supports134,vibrator motors118,safety bracket138, and the like. In an embodiment, the structural members may be positioned on the peripheral edges of themattress124 and springs122 to provide overall support and rigidity to themattress124 and springs122 and may form the base of the individualadjustable bed facility102 sections. Additionally, there may other structural members as support, cross pieces, or the like that may provide additional support to themattress124 and springs122 as may be required. A person knowledgeable in the art may understand that the frame structure may have many different construction configurations to provide support and rigidity to themattress124 and springs122.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may form the base of theadjustable bed facility102 sections that may be moved relative to each other to provide the various bed positions required by the user. Theadjustable bed facility102 may include more than one section; a section may be fixed or may be adjustable. For example, the typical adjustable bed may have adjustable sections for the head, leg, and foot while the torso section may remain fixed and horizontal. There may be different combinations of movable and fixed sections with one or all of the sections being movable. In an embodiment, the sections may include theskeleton structure130,mattress124, springs122, and the like, and may individually be small mattress structures of the entireadjustable bed facility102 mattress.
• In an embodiment, the adjustable bed sections may be connected together using hinges or like devices that allow a freedom of motion between two adjacentadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, one section of the adjustable bed may remain fixed, such as the torso section, and act as the foundation for the other movable sections to be positions. In an embodiment, any or none of the sections may be a fixed foundation section in theadjustable bed facility102. In embodiments, there may be more than oneadjustable bed facility102 configuration depending on the requirements of a user, cost requirements, medical needs, or the like. For example, there may be a configuration where only the head section is adjustable to provide the user with the ability to have an elevated upper body position. This configuration may be a single purpose bed but may also provide the user with a less expensiveadjustable bed facility102 that meets the user's needs. One skilled in the art may understand that there may be many different adjustable bed facility configurations containing fixed and moveable sections.
• This moveable section may also provide support and connection members for the components that may be used
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130, as part of eachadjustable bed facility102 section, may also provide support and connection members for the components that may be used to move the variousadjustable bed facility102 sections. There may beskeleton structure130 members that provide connection support to theactuators120, supports134,safety brackets138,vibration motors132, and the like. These support and connection members may have any shape or configuration required to provide the support and connections needed by the various other components. For example, in addition to theskeleton structure130 that is used to provide support to themattress124 and springs122 there may be at least one cross member that may provide a connection to theactuator120 andsafety bracket138.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 and thesub-frame128 may interface with each other; thesub-frame128 may provide structural support and a rigid foundation base to theskeleton structure130. In an embodiment, thesub-frame130 may be the rigid structure that is in contact to the floor and may provide a base for any fixedadjustable bed facility102 sections and an interface for any movableadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 legs may be connected to thesub-frame128 using a threaded stud into threads of thesub-frame128. In an embodiment, to prevent the threaded stud from pulling out of the legs during tightening, the head of the threaded stud may be fixed between two or more layers of leg material. This construction may trap the threaded stud head to prevent it from moving away from the end of the leg and may also prevent the threaded stud head from being pulled through the end of the leg during the tightening of the leg to the sub-frame. In addition, the two or more layers of leg material may provide for added strength to thesub-frame128 legs to prevent distortion at thesub-frame128 and leg interface. In an example of a fixed torso section, thesub-frame128 may provide a base to solidly connect the torso section to provide a fixed non-moving section. The other moveable sections may be moveably connected to the fixed torso section and additionally supported by thesub-frame128 using a moveable interface connection.
• In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may have structural members that may run along the length of theadjustable bed facility102, run along the width of theadjustable bed facility102, run diagonally across theadjustable bed facility102, or other orientation in relation to theadjustable bed facility102 that may be required for support or connection to components.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be used as an RF antenna for receiving communication from theremote control118. In embodiment, theentire skeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna; a portion of theskeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna, or the like.
• In one embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide solid connections for any fixed section andskeleton structure130 by rigidly connecting theskeleton structure130 directly to thesub-frame128. In this manner, any fixed section andskeleton structure130 may be rigidly connected to thesub-frame128, and through thesub-frame128, rigidly connected to the floor.
• In another embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide an interface for the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section andskeleton structure130 where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame128. By providing a non-rigid interface connection between thesub-frame128 and theskeleton structure130, the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section may have freedom of motion but still may be supported by the sub-frame in a solid foundation manner. For example, the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section may have wheels that run in a track, groove, “C” channel, or the like of thesub-frame128 and may be able to move horizontally during the motion of one or more of the movableadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, the horizontal freedom of motion may provide for a “wall hugger” feature where, as the head section is adjusted up or down, the fixed torso section may move, along with the head section, horizontally forward and away from an adjacent wall to maintain a fixed distance between the head section and the wall, therefore “hugging” the wall. It may be understood by one skilled in the art that the moveable interface between theskeleton structure130 andsub-frame128 may be any type of interface that may allow freedom of motion between thesub-frame128 andskeleton structure130.
• In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide an interface for the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section andskeleton structure130 where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame128.
• In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide an interface for the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section and theskeleton structure130 where the fixed section may move away or towards in relation to thesub-frame128.
• In an embodiment, any adjustable sections may have two connections: a first connection provided by a hinge type connection and a second connection provided by the connection with theactuator120 andsafety bracket138 that provide the force to rotate theadjustable bed facility102 section up or down. In an embodiment, the hinge type connection between theskeleton structure130 of a first section and a second section may provide the point of rotation for the section motion. In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may contain more than one section and any or all of the sections may be connected by a hinge type connection.
• In an embodiment, there may be a support gusset for connection between the actuator120 and theadjustable bed facility102 section. In embodiments, the gusset may be an I beam, a T beam, an L beam, a box beam, or any other beam design that may provide the strength to lift the combined weight of theadjustable bed facility102 section and the user without bending. In an embodiment, to resist bending forces at the connections to theactuator120 and theadjustable bed facility102 section, the ends of the gusset may be reinforced. In embodiments, the reinforcement may be an additional bracket added to the ends of the gusset, such as a U bracket or any other bracket shape, to provide for increased material thickness and strength of the gusset ends. The thickness of the additional bracket may be determined by the amount of force and torque that may need to be resisted during theadjustable bed facility102 section movements.
• With theadjustable bed facility102 sections interconnected by using hinge type connections, there may be at least oneactuator120 that may provide a connection between a fixedadjustable bed facility102 section and a moveable section. In an embodiment, the hinge connection between theadjustable bed facility102 sections may be a pivot point bracket that may include additional strengthening to resist bending forces. Similar to the gusset described above, the pivot point connections may have additional reinforcement, such as a U bracket or any other shaped bracket, to provide for increased material thickness and strength to resist bending forces. The thickness of the additional bracket may be determined by the amount of force and torque that may need to be resisted during movement of theadjustable bed facility102 section. In an embodiment, theactuation120 connection may be between two of theskeleton structures114. For example, a first end of theactuator120 may be connected to the fixed torso section of theadjustable bed facility102 and a second end of theactuator120 may be connected to the section that is to be moved (e.g. head, leg, or foot sections). In an embodiment, theactuator120 may use electric motors and mechanical gears, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic spring, air spring, hydraulic spring or the like to provide the force to extend and retract theactuator120. The action of extending and retracting theactuator120 may move the various movable bed sections up or down. By theactuator120 pushing against the section, the section may rotate upward around the pivot point provided by the hinge type connection. In the same manner, by theactuator120 pulling against the section, the section may rotate downwards and around the pivot point provided by the hinge type connection. In an embodiment, there may be at least oneactuator120 for every moveableadjustable bed facility102 section.
• In an embodiment, the combination ofactuator120,safety bracket138, and supports134 may provide a safety feature to prevent an object that may be under theadjustable bed facility102 from being damaged, impinged, crushed, or the like during the decent of theadjustable bed facility102 section. During the downward motion of oneadjustable bed facility102 sections, the section may come in contact with an object that is under theadjustable bed facility102. If theactuator120 is allowed continuing to pull the section in the downward direction, the object may be crushed under the force theactuator120 may apply. In an embodiment, thesafety bracket138 may have a slot that may provide time to determine that there is an object under the section that is moving downward.
• In an embodiment, the slot may have a first side that is on the opposite side of the slot from theactuator120 and a second side that is on the same side as theactuator120. In an embodiment, the slot that is between the first side and the second side may be of any length. In an embodiment, the actuator may push against the first side to move theadjustable bed facility102 section in an upward direction. In an embodiment, during the downward motion of the section, theactuator120 may move at the same speed as theadjustable bed facility102 section and therefore the actuator connection to thesafety bracket138 may remain within thesafety bracket138 slot without contacting either the first or second sides of the slot. In an embodiment, the section may move in the downward direction under the weight of the section without theactuator120 pulling on the second side of thesafety bracket138.
• In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 section downward speeds may be further controlled bysupports134 that may provide resistance to the section motion to control the rate of decent. In an embodiment, thesupport134 may be a pressurized device using pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, or the like to provide a resistive force to slow the decent of theadjustable bed facility102 section. In an embodiment, the supports may provide enough resistance to control the rate of decent of the section as theactuator120 is retracted.
• In an embodiment, as theactuator120 retracts, theadjustable bed facility102 section, with the aid of thesupport134, may descend at the same rate as the as theactuator120 is retracting. By matching the rates of theactuator120 retraction and theadjustable bed facility102 section descending, theactuator120 connection within thesafety bracket138 slot may remain within the slot area and not contact either the first or second side of the slot. In an embodiment, as the section descends, if an object is encountered, theadjustable bed facility102 sections may stop its decent and theactuator120 connection will move within thesafety bracket138 slot without pulling the section downward. In an embodiment, the amount of time that theactuator120 connection is moving within thesafety bracket138 slot while theadjustable bed facility102 section is stopped may provide time to the user to realize that an object has been contacted and to stop the downward motion of the section.
• In an embodiment, an additional safety feature may be the addition of a shut off sensor, shut off switch, or the like on the first side of thesafety bracket138 slot to stop the retraction of theactuator120 if theactuator120 connection comes in contact with the first side of the slot. In this manner, if theactuator120 connection with thesafety bracket138 slots reaches the first side of the slot, theactuator120 retraction may be stopped and theadjustable bed facility102 section will not be forcibly pulled down into the object that may be under the section. In an embodiment, there may be an indication to the user that theactuator120 connection has come in contact with the first side of the slot and theadjustable bed facility102 sections downward motion has been stopped. In an embodiment, the indication may be an audio indication, a visual indication, a motion indication (e.g. vibration), or the like to indicate to the user that the motion has been stopped and there may be an obstruction with theadjustable bed facility102 section.
• In an embodiment, an additional safety feature may be the dual motion of one or more moveable section of theadjustable bed facility102 to stop the side-to-side movement of a user. In such an arrangement, when the head portion of the individual moves, the head section may be restricted from movement by nestling in a groove or the like, around the head portion of the user. In a similar manner, the fixed torso portion of the user may also move side-to-side along with the head portion. The fixed torso section of theadjustable bed facility102 may form a groove around the moving torso portion of the individual, allowing the user to rest its torso portion inside the formed groove. Also, the foot section may be moved to form a groove around the foot portion of the user.
• In an embodiment, there may be at least onevibration motor132 that may provide vibration and massage functions to theadjustable bed facility102 sections andmattresses124. In an embodiment, there may bevibration motors132 associated with any of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, there may be more than onevibration motor132 for eachadjustable bed facility102 section that may havevibration motors132. In an embodiment, using theremote control118, the user may be able to control the vibration mode of thevarious vibration motors132; the mode may include the vibration setting for a particular bed section, the vibration frequency of at least one of the vibration motors, stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibration motors, or the like. The user may vary the vibration frequency for the particular bed section that has been positioned for a long duration. For example, the user may require different vibration frequencies for a body location that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back, neck). Such an arrangement may allow the user to vary the vibration frequency settings of various sections of theadjustable bed facility102 in case of inflexibility, pain or the like of any body portion.
• In an embodiment, thevibration motors118 may be operated independently or in combination. In an embodiment, the user may select a vibration mode on theremote control118 and thecontroller150 may use a software application to control thevarious vibration motors118 to the user's request.
• In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be an electric/mechanical device, a pneumatic device, a hydraulic device, or the like. The mechanical device may use an electric motor to rotate an offset mass to create a vibration; the vibration motor may be controlled for vibration frequency and amplitude by the speed of rotation of the electric motor. Referring toFIG. 5A andFIG. 5B, an embodiment of avibration motor132 is shown within an opening of aadjustable bed facility102 supportlateral surface508. Theadjustable bed facility102 section may have alateral surface508 and thelateral surface508 may include an opening in which thevibration motor132 may be located; thevibration motor132 may fit within the opening such that thevibration motor132 may not contact thelateral surface508.
• In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be secured to theadjustable bed facility102 section using at least onebracket504. In an embodiment, when more than onebracket504 is used, at least one of thebrackets504 may be separable and removable. In an embodiment, the at least onebracket504 may be shaped to secure thevibration motor132 within the section opening such as a straight bracket, a U shaped bracket, an L shaped bracket, or the like; inFIG. 5A andFIG. 5B thebracket504 is shown as astraight bracket504. In an embodiment, the removal of one of thebrackets504 may facilitate securing thevibration motor132 to the bed section, facilitating the servicing of thevibration motor132, or the like. Thebracket504 may be positioned such that at least one portion of thebracket504 is within the opening of thelateral surface508 and may also be positioned such that thebracket504 may overlap thevibration motor132 flange. Thebracket504 may provide support to thevibration motor132 flange along a majority of the perimeter of the mattress support opening. Thebracket504 may be coupled to themattress support508 using a removable coupling. Removing thebracket504 may facilitate removing and servicing thevibration motor132. Thevibration motor132 flange may extend beyond the perimeter of the opening of themattress support508 and theresilient material502 may provide positional support for the motor so that the flange may impart vibration to the mattress without contacting the mattress support. Theresilient material502 may provide mechanical insulation between the flange and the perimeter of the opening in themattress support508. Theresilient material502 disposed between the flange and thelateral support508 surface of thebracket504 may further provide positional support for thevibration motor132 housing.
• Thebracket504 may be constructed using material such as plastic, metal, or the like, and may be constructed using the materials individually or in combination. In an embodiment, there may be aresilient material502 associated with thebrackets504, the resilient material may provide for dampening the vibration between thevibration motor132 and theadjustable bed facility102, may contact thevibration motor132 to secure thevibration motor132 to the bed section, may provide for dampening of vibration to theadjustable bed facility102 and hold thevibration motor132 in place, or the like. Theresilient material502 may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or in combination.
• In an embodiment, either of the pneumatic or hydraulic devices may act as avibration motor132 increasing and decreasing the pressure within a cylinder, bladder, or the like at certain frequencies to provide the vibration required by the user. In an embodiment, a device to provide the pressure frequency may be part of thevibration motor132, a separate device from thevibration motor132, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thevibration facility132 may be connected to theskeleton structure130, themattress124, thelateral surface508, or the like where the vibration may be imparted into theadjustable bed facility102mattress124 as desired by the user. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 flange may provide surface area that may impart a vibration into themattress124. In another embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be in proximity to a vibration distribution facility (not shown) that may aid in the propagation of vibration energy to theadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be operatively connected to the vibration distribution facility, may be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, may not be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, or the like. The vibration distribution facility may be constructed using materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or the like and may be constructed using these materials individually or in combination. In an embodiment, the vibration distribution facility may provide for a more uniform distribution of the vibration characteristics of thevibration motor132 and may have a size and shape relative to the size and shape of theadjustable bed facility102 section.
• Referring again toFIG. 1, in an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may have anelectronic facility140 that may contain components that provide control of the physical aspects of the adjustable bed facility102 (e.g. actuator, vibration motors), interface with theremote control118, interface with networks, interface withbed memory170, control electronic devices of theadjustable bed facility102, and the like.
• In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may have thesensor108 that may be combined with theadjustable bed facility102; or it may be attached to theadjustable bed facility102; or it may be a modular, stand-alone facility; or the like. In an embodiment, thesensor108 may be connected to theelectronic facility140 and may interface with thecontroller150.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may coordinate the electronic requirements of theelectronic facility140. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may interface with thecommunications module144,remote control118,air purification facility160,power outlets154,power supply152,power connection158,modular controls148,wire harness142, and the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150,communications module144, andpower supply152 may be mounted directly to theskeleton structure130.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may receive its command request from the user requestingadjustable bed facility102 functions using theremote control118. In an embodiment, the remote may communicate to thecommunications module144 and the receiver may transmit the received user command request to thecontroller150. Therefore,communications module144 may be bi-directional. In an embodiment, thecommunications module144 andcontroller150 may be individual devices or may be combined into a single device.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 andcommunications module144 may have wired or wireless communication. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. In an embodiment, thecommunications module144 may receive the user commands from theremote control118 and transmit the same command to thecontroller150; thecommunications module144 may not provide any interpretation of theremote control118 commands. In an embodiment, theremote control118 andcommunications module144 may be communication matched by the use of a code key. The code key may be any indicator that may be interpreted by theremote control118 andcommunications module144 that commands may be received and executed between theremote control118 andcommunications module144. In embodiments, the code key may be a number, a word, a serial number, a bed identification, a remote identification, a user identification, or any other identification known to both theremote control118 andcommunications module144, all an indication that communications should be received. The code key may be transmitted as the beginning of the communication, the end of the communication, as part of the communication or the like. Additional aspects of thecommunications module144 between theadjustable bed facility102 and theremote control118 are described hereinafter with reference toFIG. 28 et seq.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be used as an RF antenna for receiving communication from theremote control118 to thecommunications module144. In embodiment, theentire skeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna; a portion of theskeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may also control the functions of theadjustable bed facility102 using a wireless technology in place of, or in coordination with, thewire harness142. In an embodiment, the wireless technology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), WIFI, IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like. The various controlled functions (e.g. actuators120 or external devices) may be able to communicate using the wireless technology, may use an intermediate wireless receiver, router, or the like to communicate with thecontroller150.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 wireless communication may use a wireless network protocol that may include peer-to-peer communication, master/slave communication, as a hub, as a server, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be used to control more than one adjustable bed facility. For example, the user may be able to control his/her adjustable bed facility and may additionally be able to control another adjustable bed that may be within the range of the communication method.
• In an embodiment, the cellular communication may utilize a cell phone, a smart phone, or the like to provide the communication method with thecontroller150,modular controls148, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may be a programmable control controller (PLC) and may be configured from programmable logic circuits. In an embodiment, the user may use a menu on the cell phone for adjustable bed functions that may be controlled by the cell phone. For example, the cell phone technology may be able to control the bed position and vibration characteristics of theadjustable bed facility102 and therefore the cell phone menu may present the user with options for controlling the bed position and vibration.
• In an embodiment, if the communication between theremote control118 andcommunications module144 is wireless, the receiver learnfacility168 may be used to establish the communication between them. In an embodiment, a learn protocol between theremote control118 andcommunications module144 may be user initiated by pressing a button on the receiver learnfacility168, powering up the receiver learnfacility168, bringing the receiver learnfacility168 within a certain proximity of thecommunications module144, indicating on theremote control118 to begin the learn protocol, or the like. In an embodiment, the learn protocol may be fully automatic, semi-automatic with user intervention, manual, or the like. In an embodiment, a user may select a channel, frequency, or the like during learn protocol or after the learn protocol. The changing of the channel, frequency, or the like may prevent two differentremote control118 andcommunications module144 combinations from interfering with other wireless communication devices. In an embodiment, each time the learn protocol is executed, a new unique communication link may be established; there may be a plurality of unique communication links available for eachremote control118 andcommunications module144 combination.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may be a user controlled device to provide control commands to thecontroller150 to command certain functions of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the certain functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g. up or down), vibration control, modular controlled132 devices, or the like. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may communicate with the control box using wired communication, wireless communication, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may use a radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. If the remote communicates using a wireless technology, the communication may be with thecommunications module144 and thecommunications module144 may pass the command request to thecontroller150.
• In embodiments, thecommunications module144 of one bed may be adapted to communicate with thecommunications module144 of another bed, such as by a wireless communication protocol including a radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. For example, a king size adjustable bed may comprise two side-by-side twin size adjustable beds. Each of the twin size beds may have acommunications module144. A single remote control may be used to adjust each of the twin size beds simultaneously, and in some embodiments, each of the twin size beds may be separately adjustable with individual remote controls. In any event, thecommunications modules144 may be adapted to signal to the other bed. The signal may be related to synchronizing a motion of the beds, implementing a safety feature, communicating an error, communicating a software update, communicating a preference, communicating a setting, communicating a report, and the like. In some embodiments, upon receiving the signal from the other bed, the signaled bed may interpret the signal as a command.
• In an embodiment, the inputs of theremote control118 may be organized into groups of common function control; theremote control118 groups may be arranged in a circular orientation. As shown inFIG. 3, theremote control118 may include more than onegroup302 and may include at least one positioning control group and one vibration control group. In one embodiment, theremote control118groups302 may be organized into a circular pattern where the circular pattern may provide for inputs that control increasing a function, decreasing a function, storing a function, global command functions304, or the like. For example, acircular group302 may be divided up into a number of segments to control certain functions of theadjustable bed facility102.FIG. 3 shows four sections for each of thecircular groups302, but it should be understood that there may be any number of sections to provide the requiredadjustable bed facility102 control.
• In one example, one of thecircular groups302 may be used to control movements of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. The movementcircular group302 may have inputs for moving the head section up/down, moving the foot section up/down, inputs for storing a user preferred positions to thecontroller150, or the like. Additionally, there may be aglobal command input304 that may provide for commanding more than oneadjustable bed facility102 function using a single input such as commanding theadjustable bed facility102 to go to a flat position. For example, the user may be able to select the flat button and theadjustable bed facility102 may move all of the adjustable sections to the flat position.
• Avibration circular group302 may have inputs for controlling the vibration of the head section up/down, controlling the foot section vibration up/down, inputs for storing a user preferred vibration characteristics to thecontroller150, or the like. Additionally, there may be aglobal command input304 that may provide for commanding more than oneadjustable bed facility102 vibration characteristic using a single input such as commanding theadjustable bed facility102 to stop all vibration. For example, the user may be able to select the stop vibration input and theadjustable bed facility102 may stop all of the adjustable sections from vibrating. In an embodiment, the user may select the all stop global304 input to stop theadjustable bed facility102 vibration before selecting a different vibration characteristic for one of theadjustable bed facility102 sections.
• In an embodiment, the user may be able to determine the control functions that theglobal command304 may control. For example, the user may be able to input a command sequence to indicate the global command that should be applied to theglobal command304 input. In an embodiment, the global command may be stored in theadjustable bed facility102 memory164 for later recall. In an embodiment, after theglobal command304 has been stored, the user may select theglobal command304 input for the command sequence execution.
• The function of theremote control118 has been described with controllingadjustable bed facility102 movement and vibration, but it should be understood that the remote may have control inputs for any function of theadjustable bed facility102. Additionally, the control inputs have been described as having a circular pattern, but it should be understood that other embodiments of the control input organization may be used for controlling the function of theadjustable bed facility102.
• Theremote control118 may include a timer that has a user defined setting that may allow the user to determine when theremote control118 communicates a control command to the adjustable bed facility. For example, the user may be able to set a timer on theremote control118 to indicate a time when theadjustable bed facility102 is to go to a flat position. The user may use this function in the evening where the user may want to read for a half hour and then go to sleep, the user could set the timer for a half hour and theadjustable bed facility102 may go to the flat position after the half hour. In another embodiment, the timer may be a clock where the user may be able to set a time when theadjustable bed facility102 is to complete a certain function. In an embodiment, the user may be able to indicate the command that theremote control118 is to transmit to theadjustable bed facility102 when the timer or clock setting indication has been reached.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may be able to directly control the settings of external power outlets associated with theadjustable bed facility102. The power outlet may be an RF controlled power outlet and theremote control118 may be able to transmit an RF command directly to the RF power outlet. In an embodiment, the power outlet may include settings of at least on, off, a percentage of power, or the like. The power outlet control power setting may be controlled by a hardware setting, a software setting, or the like. The power outlet may be an AC powered power outlet or a DC powered power outlet.
• Theremote control118 may include a timer that has a user defined setting that may allow the user to determine when theremote control118 communicates a control command to the RF power outlet. For example, the user may be able to set a timer on theremote control118 to indicate a time when the RF power outlet is to turn on or off. For example, the user may use this function in the evening where the user may want to read for a half hour and then go to sleep, the user could set the timer for a half hour to turn off a power outlet that controls a light fixture, after the half hour theremote control118 may command the RF power outlet to turn off and therefore turn the light fixture off. In another embodiment, the timer may be a clock where the user may be able to set a time when the RF power outlet may turn on or off. In an embodiment, the user may be able to indicate the command, such as on or off, that theremote control118 is to transmit to the RF power outlet when the timer or clock setting indication has been reached.
• In an embodiment, the user may indicateadjustable bed facility102 functions using theremote control118 by pressing a button, touching a screen, entering a code, speaking a command, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150, using thecommunications module144, may receive and interpret the command provided by theremote control118. The remote may control devices with commands that may include on, off, high power, medium power, low power, volume, play, fast forward, rewind, skip, modular device to control, or the like. For example, theremote control118 may transmit a command to move the head section up and thecontroller150 may command theactuator120 to extend a certain amount in response to the command. In another example, theremote control118 may command that amodular control148 connected lamp be turned off. Thecontroller150 may command thecontroller150 to turn off the lamp.
• Referring again toFIG. 1, in an embodiment, thecontroller150 may use thebed memory170 to storeadjustable bed facility102 settings, application software, demonstration software, and the like. In an embodiment, the user may determine that certain adjustable bed locations are preferred and should be saved for future recall. Thecontroller150 may save the user preferred settings in thebed memory170 in order to recall the preferred settings at the use request. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may also store non-user requested information to thebed memory170 as needed for the control of the variousadjustable bed facility102 components. For example, when the user requests anadjustable bed facility102 sections to move, thecontroller150 may store the last position intobed memory170 to be used as a last position recall, an undo command, the last settings for the entireadjustable bed facility102 component at shutdown, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 application software may be stored in thebed memory170. In an embodiment, the software may be downloaded to thecontroller150, may be run from thebed memory170, or the like. In an embodiment, the application software may be an interrupt type application, a polling type application, or the like for sensing what command the user may have indicated on theremote control118. For example, in an interrupt application, each command requested by theremote control118 may send an interrupt code to thecontroller150. Thecontroller150 may then request from the application software the command sequence that is associated with the received interrupt. In another example, the polling application may continually poll theremote control118 for requested user commands and when a user command is detected, then request the command sequences for the requested user command.
• In another embodiment, thecontroller150 may use a programmable logic controller (PLC) or the like to store application programs for control of the adjustable bed facility components. Thecontroller150 may include programmable logic circuits for facilitating application program store and execution. In an embodiment, the PLC may be part of thecontroller150, part of abed memory170, in a separate control box, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may include a microcomputer, a microprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, IO connection to components, or the like. Thecontroller150 may provide an interface to permit software application updates to the controller memory; controller memory may be over written. In an embodiment, this may provide a method and system for providing software application upgrades to theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, the controller may have a connection to an external interface that may allow updates to be downloaded to thecontroller150. The connection may be a serial connection, a USB connection, a USB device, a parallel connection, a wireless connection, abed memory170, or the like. The capability to download information to thecontroller150 may allow for controller updates including software updates,remote control118 interface updates, memory updates, or the like. For example, if the user was supplied with a new or upgradedremote control118, the user may also be supplied with updated software for thecontroller150. The user may be able to connect the device containing the new software to the external interface and download the new software to thecontroller150.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may have a connection interface with themodular controls148 to provide the user with control over other devices that may be connected to theadjustable bed facility102. Thecontroller150 may receive commands from theremote control118 for themodular controls148 and may pass the command through to themodular control148, may interpret theremote control118 command and command themodular control148, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may interface with amodular control148 that is associated with external power outlets. In this embodiment, the user may be able to control the setting of the external power outlet by selecting a setting on theremote control118. The setting on theremote control118 may be received by thecommunications module144 and/or the PLC (e.g. within the controller150) to set the power outlet setting. For example, the user may be able to turn on the external power outlet by selecting an external outlet on input on the remote. This may result in the external outlet power being turned on to power an attached device such as a lamp.
• In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be part of thecontroller150, external from thecontroller150, a combination of internal and external memory from thecontroller150, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be separate from thecontroller150. In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be removable memory, thebed memory170 may be moved from a firstadjustable bed facility102 to asecond bed facility102 to move user settings from the firstadjustable bed facility102 to thesecond bed facility102. For example, a user in a care facility may be moved from a firstadjustable bed facility102 to a secondadjustable bed facility102 but the user may have already determined and saved at least one preferred setting to thebed memory170. Thebed memory170 may be removed from the firstadjustable bed facility102 and moved to the secondadjustable bed facility102 with the user and therefore the user may keep the same preferredadjustable bed102 settings.
• In this manner, thebed memory170 may be considered portable memory. In an embodiment, theremovable bed memory170 may be flash memory, programmable logic circuits, secure digital (SD) memory, mini SD memory, Compact Flash type I memory, Compact Flash type II memory, Memory Stick, Multimedia Card, xD Picture card, Smartmedia, eXtreme Digital, Microdrive, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be part of theremote control118. As part of the communication between theremote control118,communications module144, andcontroller150 memory information may be exchanged between theremote control118 andcontroller150. For example, the user may indicate that a certainadjustable bed facility102 position should be maintained for future recall. Thecontroller150 may receive the save position request from theremote control118 and transmit the position information back to theremote control118 for storage within thebed storage154. In a like manner, when the user requests the recall of a previously saved position, thecontroller150 may request the position information from theremote control118 to thebed memory170.
• In an embodiment, if theremote control118 is wireless, theremote control118 may contain both a transmitter and receiver, or a transceiver, to transmit and receive information with thecontroller150. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may communicate with thecommunications module144 using a connection key. The connection key may be a code that indicates that a certain remote is associated with a certainadjustable bed facility102. When theremote control118 transmits information to the receiver, the remote may first send a key code to indicate that theremote control118 is associated with theadjustable bed facility102. If the key code matches the key that thecommunications module144 is listening for, thecommunications module144 may receive the command from the remote.
• In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may maintain the position information for the user preferred positions of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be implemented as programmable logic circuits, a logic circuit (LC), or the like.FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of two methods of maintaining the user preferred positions in memory. In an embodiment, a first method may be to have discreet memory table202 for each preferreduser bed position204. There may be the same number ofpreferred bed positions204 andmemory locations208 as indicators on the userremote control118. For example, the remote may have two buttons for the user to set the preferred positions that may be used for later recall; the two buttons may be associated with twodiscreet memory locations208. In an embodiment, each time the user indicates a new preferred position for a button on theremote control118 thememory location208 may be over written with the new position information. In an embodiment, this method may only allow the user to set one user preferred position for every button on theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, a second method of memory storage for user preferred adjustable bed positions may be a table222 that may have a plurality ofpossible positions212 the user may select. In an embodiment, as shown, thepossible positions212 may be P1 through Pn. In an embodiment, thepossible positions212 may be a plurality of values that may define the range of available positions for the adjustable bed facility12; the plurality of values may be a set of values that define the range of available positions for one or moreadjustable bed facility102 functions. For example, theavailable positions212 may be a set of increments of section positions that may include a set ofactuator120 positions, a set ofactuator120 activation times, bed section rotation angles, or the like. The set of increments may be determined from a base value for the section. For example, the increments may start at zero from the flat position for theadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, the user may be able to select the increment set to be used aspossible positions212 for the section. For example, the user may be able to select the type of graduations by selecting from a set of possible graduation methods such as distance, angle of rotation, actuation time, or the like.
• InFIG. 2, the table222 is shown with anincrement column210 and anindication column220. In an embodiment, the table222 may have a plurality ofcolumns220 to store position information for any of the adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed facility102. For example, there may be anindication column220 for the head section angle, the foot angle section, the vibration characteristics for the various vibration motors of theadjustable bed facility102, or the like. In another embodiment, the adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed facility102 may be represented by a plurality of individual tables210 for storing indication information for each of the individual adjustable attributes for theadjustable bed facility102. The individual tables210 may be substantially the same as the table222 shown inFIG. 2 where there may be onecolumn210 forincrements212 and anothercolumn220 for indication information (214 and218). For example, there may be individual tables210 for the head section angle, foot section angle, vibration motor characteristics, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may be able to access theadjustable bed facility102 settings by accessing large tables210 that contain many columns, small tables210 that contain a few columns, a combination of large and small tables210, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may store the tables210 within thecontroller150 memory for accessing the settings of theadjustable bed facility102. In another embodiment, the table222 may be stored in memory outside of thecontroller150 and thecontroller150 may access the table222 through an interface connection. The table222increment column210 may represent a plurality of available positions associated with adjustable bed facility functions. In an embodiment, the increment values may be a measurement scale (e.g. inches or angle), may be the number of rotations of the actuator, the vibration frequency of the vibration motor, or other increment scale. In response to a user input, theindication column220 may be marked with theindication214 to represent the position intended by the user. When the user makes a request to save a position, thecontroller150 may search theincrement column210 to determine which of the plurality ofincrements212 represents the current position value of theadjustable bed facility102 section. Once the currentposition value increment212 within the table222 is determined, anindication214 may be stored to theindication column220 associated to the currentposition value increment212. In an embodiment, theindication214 may be any character that may represent a position being selected such as a letter, a number, special character, or the like. In embodiments, theindication column220 may include all indications, no indications, one indication, more than one indication, or the like to indicate the user's intended position. The storing of the indication association of the current position value with the user selected position may include adding a store indication to the table222 entry representing the current position value, removing the current position value from the table222 of values, removing a plurality of the table222 values where the removal does not include removing the current position value, adding a store indication to every table222 entry except a table222 entry representing the current position value, or the like.
• In an embodiment, when a user indicates on theremote control118 that a position is to be saved in the table222, thecontroller150 may select theincrement value212 from within theincrement column210 set of values that represents the current position of theadjustable bed facility102. Thecontroller150 may store anindication214 associated with theincrement value212; the stored indication associated with the current position value may be a recall value that may be recalled at a later time to reposition theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, in response to the user requesting to return to a recall value, thecontroller150 may scan the table222indication column220 for anindication214 that may represent the user's recall value. Upon locating therecall value indication214, thecontroller150 may command the adjustable bed function to the recall value indicated214 location, position, vibration, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theindication column220 of the table222 may initially containindications214 in all to the availablediscrete locations212. As a user indicates that current position value is the position to be stored within the table222, theindication214 for the current position value may be removed from the table222. This may result in oneincrement location212 being empty of an indication. In this case, when a user requests to return to the recall position, thecontroller150 may scan the table222indication column220 for theempty increment location212. Once the empty increment location is found, thecontroller150 may command the adjustable bed function to the recall position, vibration, or otheradjustable bed facility102 function. In an embodiment, if the user stores a different current position value, the emptydiscrete location212 may be filled with an indication and the new indication associated to the current position value may have theindication214 removed. In an embodiment, the user may be able to clear the stored position by indicating a clear command and all of theincrement locations212 may be filled withindications214.
• In an embodiment, theavailable increment locations212 in theindication column220 of the table222 may initially contain noindications214 so that theindication column220 may be empty. As a user indicates that a current position value is the position to be stored within the table222, theindication214 associated to the current position value may be added to the table222. This may result in oneincrement location212 having an indication. In this case, when a user requests to return to recall value position, thecontroller150 may scan the table222indication column220 for theincrement location212 containing theindication214 associated with the recall value. Once the increment location is found, thecontroller150 may command the adjustable bed function to the recall value position, position, vibration, or otheradjustable bed facility102 function. In an embodiment, if the user stores a different position, theincrement location212indication214 may be removed and the new current position value may have theindication214 added. In an embodiment, the user may be able to clear the stored position by indicating a clear command and all of thediscrete locations212 may have theindication214 removed.
• In an embodiment, when a user indicates a current position value is to be indicated in the table222, the indication may represent the user's preferredadjustable bed facility102 position. In an embodiment, the user's indicated current position value may be rounded to the closest table222increment location214. For example, if the user selects a current position value that is between two increment positions on the table222, an algorithm may be used to determine which of the increment positions are to be indicated in theindication column220.
• Embodiments of the present invention involve setting a recall bed position in response to a user making a storage selection. The user's storage selection may send a command to the adjustable bed facility's102 controller (e.g. the PLC) indicating that the user would like the present position of theadjustable bed facility102 stored such that the user can later have theadjustable bed facility102 return to the stored position. The user may use a user interface (e.g. the remote control118) and make such a storage selection once theadjustable bed facility102 is in a desired position. As described herein elsewhere, a plurality of position values that define a range of available positions for theadjustable bed facility102 may be stored in memory accessible by the adjustable bed facility'scontroller150. The available positions may be stored in a table222 or other structure for example. Once the user initiates such a storage request, the controller may receive the request to save the currentadjustable bed facility102 position as a user selected position. The controller may then make a determination of which of the plurality of position values represent the current position of theadjustable bed facility102 to provide a current position value. In determining which of the plurality of position values represents the current position, the controller may use an algorithm to decide which of the plurality of values best represents the currentadjustable bed facility102 positions. For example, the actualadjustable bed facility102 position may match one of the values and the algorithm may then select the matching value as the one that best represents the current position. In another situation, the actualadjustable bed facility102 position may not match any of the plurality of values. In this case, an algorithm may be used to determine which value best represents the position of theadjustable bed facility102. The algorithm may run an averaging calculation, interpolation calculation or other form of prediction algorithm to select between two positions representing positions on either side of the actualadjustable bed facility102 position, for example. Once the controller has made the determination as to which value represents the currentadjustable bed facility102 position, the controller may then store an association of the current position value with the user-selected position (e.g. as described elsewhere herein).
• The embodiment ofunmarking218 preferred positions will be used in the following illustrations, but it should be understood that marking a current position value may also be used as a method of indicating apreferred position212.
• In an embodiment, the user may indicate the current position value by indicating a set position on theremote control118; this indication may result in all of thepossible increment locations212 having anindication214 except for the one increment the user has selected which may be non-marked218. For example, if the user selected theP3 position212 as a preferred position, all of thepositions212 may receive amark214 except the one position P3, which may receive a non-mark218.
• In an embodiment, the positioning recall position logic of the adjustable bed may seekpossible positions212 that do not have amark218 when determining what user positions to select.
• In an embodiment, the user may be able to set more than oneincrement position212 in the table222 for a single button on theremote control118. For example, the user may be able to press a button on theremote control118 in a certain way to set a non-mark218 at differentpreferred positions212. In another example, when the user presses a button on theremote control118, the current position value may be unmarked218 as a preferred position and an algorithm may be executed to unmark218 otherpreferred positions212 at certain increments from the user selected position. In one example of the algorithm, every third position may be selected to be unmarked218 as apreferred position212. Theadditional non-markings218 may be by actuation time, section rotation angle, or the like. A person skilled in the art may understand that there may be any number of different methods of unmarking more than oneposition212 using a single button on theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, with user preferredpositions212 unmarked218 on the table222, the user may indicate on theremote control118 to recall the user preferredposition212. In an embodiment, there may be an algorithm to search the table222 for an unmarked218 user preferredposition212 to position the bed to the recall value. Once thepreferred position212 is determined, the command logic may command the actuator or actuators to move the adjustable bed sections into thepreferred position212 recall value. In an embodiment, there may be more than onepreferred position212 unmarked218 on the table222. In this case, the algorithm may seek the first unmarked218position212 and move the adjustable bed section to that position. In an embodiment, if this is not the user desired position, the user may indicate again on the remote to recall a preferred position and the algorithm may seek the next unmarked218position212. A person skilled in the art may understand that there may be a number of different methods of recalling a plurality of marked214 or unmarked218positions212 from the table222.
• Referring again toFIG. 1B, in an embodiment, theremovable bed memory170 may be used to upgrade theadjustable bed facility102 memory and software. For example, ifnew controller150 software was developed to provide better control over one of theadjustable bed facility102 components, the software may be saved to a new replaceable memory that may replace the existing replaceable memory. In this manner, the software of theadjustable bed facility102 could be upgraded just by providing the user with a new replaceable memory.
• In an embodiment, the removable memory may be used to provide a sales enterprise with theadjustable bed facility102 demonstration software where the enterprise may be able to indicate at least one of a plurality of demonstrations for a user. For example, the user may be interested in how theadjustable bed facility102 sections may be adjusted and the enterprise may select a demonstration to shows all the section motion available. In an embodiment, before anadjustable bed facility102 is shipped to a user, the enterprise may remove the demonstration removable memory and replace it with a standardadjustable bed facility102bed memory170.
• In an embodiment, thememory connection174 may be any connection type that provides a connection between thebed memory170,controller150, and the like. In an embodiment, thememory connection174 may be a wired or wireless connection. The wired connection may be a USB connection, a serial connection, parallel connection, or the like. The wireless connection may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. In an embodiment, thememory connection174 may be in a location that is easy for the user to access thebed memory170, may be attached to the memory facility164, may be attached to thecontroller150, or the like. In an embodiment, the easy access memory connection may be on the side of theadjustable bed facility102, on a rail of theadjustable bed facility102, under theadjustable bed facility102, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may also access a network using anetwork connection178. In an embodiment, the network may be a LAN, WAN, Internet, intranet, peer-to-peer, or other network with computer devices that thecontroller150 may communicate with. In an embodiment, thenetwork connection178 may be a wired or wireless connection.
• In an embodiment, using thenetwork connection178, thecontroller150 may be able to communicate with the network to periodically check for application software updates. In an embodiment, if an application software update is located, thecontroller150 may send the user an email, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like to indicate that software updates are available. The user, using the device that received the notice of software update, may send a reply to the control box that the software upgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.
• In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 enterprises, anadjustable bed facility102 manufacturers, anadjustable bed facility102 service enterprises, or the like may send thecontroller150 software updates using thenetwork connection178. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 enterprise, anadjustable bed facility102 manufacturer, anadjustable bed facility102 service enterprise, or the like may notify the user of available software upgrades for theadjustable bed facility102 by email, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like. The user, using the device that received the notice of software upgrade, may send a reply to theadjustable bed facility102 enterprise, theadjustable bed facility102 manufacturer, theadjustable bed facility102 service enterprise, or the like that the software upgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.
• In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 enterprise, anadjustable bed facility102 manufacturer, anadjustable bed facility102 service enterprise, or the like may notify the user of one or more identified problems or errors in theadjustable bed facility102 by email, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like. The user, using the device that received the notice of the identified problems or errors, may trouble shoot the problem, may not trouble shoot the problem or the like.
• In an embodiment, the user may access thenetwork connection162 with the user's own computer device.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 andcontroller150 may be able to control other devices that may be connected tomodular controls148. In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may be similar to the control box by interpreting commands to control a device, but may be unique to the device that is connected to it. In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may control audio equipment, video equipment, lamps, air purification facilities, outlets, and the like. For example, themodular control148 may be connected to audio equipment and may contain the command sequences to control the audio equipment based on commands that may be received from theremote control118. It may be obvious to someone in the art that any of the devices that are connected tomodular controls148 may be controlled in the same manner.
• In an embodiment, the user may indicate a function to be accessed for a certain device connected to amodular control148, thecontroller150 may receive the request from theremote control118 and pass the command onto the appropriatemodular control148. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may havemodular control148 device functions that the user may select to control amodular control148 device. For example, theremote control118 may have functions such as play, fast-forward, rewind, skip, pause, and the like for an audio device connected to themodular control148.
• In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may be connected to thecontroller150 andpower supply152 using awire harness142. Thewire harness142 may contain power and data connections for all of the possible connection locations for themodular controls148. For example, if there are six locations on theadjustable bed facility102 for attachingmodular controls148, thewire harness142 may have six sets of power and data connections available.
• In another embodiment, the wire harness may provide only power to themodular controls148 and the communication between themodular controls148 andcontroller150 may be wireless that may include radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, and the like.
• In an embodiment, using theremote control118, thecontroller150 may be able to controlpower outlets142 to which external devices may be connected; thepower outlets142 may be associated with theadjustable bed facility102, remote from theadjustable bed facility102, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may communicate with thepower outlet142 using wired or wireless communications. In this embodiment, thepower outlets154 may receive power directly from a household outlet, fuse box, circuit box, or the like but the function of the power outlets154 (e.g. on or off) may be controlled by thecontroller150. For example, an external lamp may be connected to thepower outlets154, there may be a selectable control on theremote control118 for the user to turn thepower outlet154 on and off and therefore to turn the lamp on and off. In an embodiment, thepower outlets154 may include a control circuit that is able to control if thepower outlet154 receives power from the household current. In an embodiment, there may be more than onepower outlet154 controlled by thecontroller150 and there may be a selection for each of thepower outlets154 on theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, thepower outlets154 may be directly controlled by theremote control118 using radio frequency (RF). The remote control andpower outlets154 may be RF capable for communication within theadjustable bed facility102. Theremote control118 may be able to directly control thepower outlets152 to turn thepower outlets154 on and off using RF without interfacing with thecontroller150.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may be able to control anexternal air purification160 facility; theair purification160 facility may be directly controlled by the control box using a wired or wireless connection. In an embodiment, the wireless connection may be radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be any type of device or facility that may be capable of improving that air environment in the area of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be an absorbent type (e.g. carbon), electro-static, HEPA filter, or the like. In an embodiment, absorbent materials may be used in a filter, in theadjustable bed facility102, in themattress124, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the air environment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In an embodiment, electro-static or iconic air filters may use negative ions to attract dust, contaminants, and the like from the air. In an embodiment, electro-static materials (e.g. tourmaline) may be used in a filter, in theadjustable bed facility102, in themattress124, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the air environment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In an embodiment, HEPA filters are composed of a mat of randomly arranged fibers that are designed to trap at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (μm) at 85 liters per minute (Lpm). The HEPA filter may be used in a device, facility, or the like for filtering the air in the area of theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be part of theadjustable bed facility102, a freestanding device or facility, or the like. In an embodiment, if theair purification facility160 is part of theadjustable bed facility102 theair purification facility160 may be attached to any part of theadjustable bed facility102 such as themattress124,sub-frame128,skeleton structure130, or the like. In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 that is attached to theadjustable bed facility102 may be controlled direct control of theair purification facility160 device, control using theremote control118, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be a free standing device that may be plugged into aadjustable bed facility102power outlet154 and therefore may be controlled with theremote control118 controlling the on/off condition of thepower outlet154.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be a freestanding device that may be connected to anadjustable bed facility102modular control148. The modular control may provide power (AC or DC), control communication, and the like to theair purification facility160. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control theair purification facility160 using theremote control118 to control themodular controls148.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may be able to control an external zoneclimate control system162; the zoneclimate control system162 may be directly controlled by the control box using a wired or wireless connection. In an embodiment, the wireless connection may be radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may be any type of device or facility that may be capable of controlling the environment within one or more zones of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the zone may be a single room or may be two different sides of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, two different users may sleep in different environments or two users may sleep in a single environment controlled by the zoneclimate control system162. In an embodiment, the user may request the provision of different environments in the different sides of theadjustable bed facility102. Accordingly, the zoneclimate control system162 may decide on which side the zone vents are to be closed and which side they are to be kept open. Additionally, the zoneclimate control system162 may heat or cool the zones of the bed, circulate air to heat or cool a zone by mixing air with air from another zone, circulate air to reduce excessive conditioning of a zone, or circulate air to maintain air quality. In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may determine and develop parameters such as airflow, thermal capacity, heating or cooling requirements, and the like by measurement and/or derivation.
• In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may be a free standing device that may be plugged into anadjustable bed facility102power outlet140 and therefore may be controlled with theremote control118 controlling the on/off condition of thepower outlet140.
• In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may be a freestanding device that may be connected to anadjustable bed facility102modular control148. Themodular control148 may provide power (AC or DC), control communication, and the like to the zoneclimate control system162. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the zoneclimate control system162 using theremote control118 to control themodular controls148.
• In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 may be any bed that is capable of adjusting at least one aspect of the bed such as a head section, a foot section, a leg section, a torso section, or the like. In an embodiment, the adjustment may include moving the sections up, down, higher, lower, longer, shorter, and the like. In an embodiment, the section adjustments may also include vibration, massage, and the like. In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may include components such asactuators120, springs122, amattress124, asub-frame128, askeleton structure130,vibration motors132, supports134,safety brackets138,wire harness142,communications module144,modular controls148,controller150,power outlets154,power supply152,power connection158,air purification facility160, zoneclimate control system162,remote control118, receiver learnfacility168,bed memory170,backup battery172,memory connection174,network connection178, and the like.
Applications
• In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 sections may be adjustable by a user, a care giver, a medical person, or the like to provide a comfortable position, a medically required position, a working position, a resting position, or the like. For example, a medical position may be required to elevate a user's legs to aid in the reduction of swelling and therefore the leg or foot sections may be elevated. In another example, a user with a back condition may need to rest his or her back and may still wish to work; the user may be able to position theadjustable bed facility102 to provide a comfortable back position that may allow the user to work on papers or a computer device. The user may be able to tilt theadjustable bed facility102 in the shape of a chair in order to rest his or her back and may sit on the horizontal section of theadjustable bed facility102. Such an arrangement may be used for watching TV, eating, reading or the like, thereby providing the user a comfortable position.
• In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may be used in a home, a hospital, a long-term care facility, a hotel, or the like. Theadjustable bed facility102 may be used by users that may have limited mobility, are restricted to bed rest, require a non-flat sleeping position, and the like.
• In an embodiment,actuators120 may be used to move theadjustable bed facility102 sections. Theactuator120 may typically be a cylinder device where a first component, under a force, is extendable from second component that may result in the action of moving an object. In an embodiment, there may be more than oneactuator120 peradjustable bed facility102. There may be an actuator120 to move any of theadjustable bed facility102 sections or other aspects of theadjustable bed facility102. For example, there may be individual actuators for the head section, leg section, foot section, torso section, or the like. In an embodiment, a single actuator may be used to move more than oneadjustable bed facility102 section. For example, one actuator may be used to move the leg and foot sections; the leg and foot sections may be connected by a mechanical structure that may control the orientation of the leg and foot sections during movement. In an embodiment, theactuators120 may be connected between theadjustable bed facility102 section to be moved and thesub-frame128,skeleton structure114, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theactuator120 may have different driving means to extend and retract theactuator120 such as an electric motor, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, or the like.
• In an embodiment, the electric motor drivenactuator120 may use a DC or AC motor and gear assembly to extend and retract theactuator120.
• In an embodiment, thepneumatic pressure actuator120 may use an air source to extend and retract theactuator120. The air source may be part of thepneumatic actuator120, may be a separate device, or the like. In an embodiment, the separate air source device may be part of theadjustable bed facility102 or may be external to theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, thehydraulic pressure actuator120 may use a fluid source to extend and retract theactuator120. The fluid source may be part of thehydraulic actuator120, may be a separate device, or the like. In an embodiment, the separate fluid source device may be part of theadjustable bed facility102 or may be external to theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, springs122 may be used with amattress124, instead of amattress124, or the like. In an embodiment, the springs may be a standard bed spring system (e.g. coils within a wire framework), individual coil springs, individual foam springs, air springs, or the like. In an embodiment, the individual springs (e.g. coil, foam, or air) may be used to provide variable firmness to provide comfort to the user. For example, thesprings122 may be less firm or firmer in a local area to provide the user with the support that may be required for a body location that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back, neck).
• In an embodiment, themattress124 may include foam, feathers, springs122, material, or the like. In an embodiment, the different materials may be used individually or in combination. The mattress may be intended to provide the user with a firmness that provides for the comfort requirements of the user.
• In an embodiment, themattress124 may be an air mattress. In an embodiment, the air mattress may be constructed using a single chamber, a plurality of chambers, a plurality of individual chambers, a combination of chamber shapes, or the like. In an embodiment, theair mattress124 may be inflated to various pressures that may provide the user with the desired comfort level. In an embodiment, there may beseparate air mattresses124 for each of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. For example, there may beseparate air mattresses124 for the head, torso, and foot sections of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the inflation pressure of theindividual air mattresses124 may be different from each other depending on user settings.
• In another embodiment of anair mattress124 with individual chambers, local firmness control may provide local firmness comfort to a user to provide comfort. For example, a user may be recovering from surgery and may require theair mattress124 to be fewer firms in a certain area, the user may be able to indicate the area to be less firm and the individual chamber pressures may be adjusted to provide the less firm area. Additionally, while a local area may be provided with less firm pressures, the remainder of themattress124 may have a consistent firmness pressure.
• In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may be a structural support frame in contact with the floor and may include the floor legs, connections for theactuators120, connections for thesupports134, support for theskeleton structure130, and the like. In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 materials may include wood, metal, plastic, and the like. In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide a support interface to theskeleton structure130 and may support the freedom of motion for theskeleton structure114. For example, thesub-frame128 may include an interface such as a track, surface, groove, slot, or the like in which theskeleton structure130 may interface and use as a guide while providing motion support for the variousadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 interface may be a “C” channel in which theskeleton structure130 may have interfacing wheels to move within the “C” channel during theadjustable bed facility102 section movements.
• In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may be substantially the same shape as theadjustable bed facility102 and may have structural members along the length and width of thesub-frame128. In an embodiment, the structural members may be assembled in any configuration that meets the requirements of supporting theadjustable bed facility102 and the various devices such as theactuators120, supports134,skeleton structure128, and the like.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be a mechanical structure that may provide support to thesprings122, provide support to themattress124, interface with thesub-frame128, provide a connection to theactuators120, provide a connection to thesupports134, support thevibration motors132, and the like. In an embodiment, there may be more than oneskeleton structure130 within theadjustable bed facility102; there may be askeleton structure130 for eachadjustable bed facility102 section. For example, there may be askeleton structure130 for the head section, foot section, leg section, torso section, and the like.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be a frame type structure to support at least onemattress124, provide connectivity between more than onemattress124, contain a hinge mechanism to allow the motion of afirst mattress124 in relation to asecond mattress124, and the like. The frame structure may be substantially the same shape as themattress124 that theskeleton structure130 is supporting and may have individual structure members at the peripheral edges of themattress124 in addition to other individual structural members that may be required for support of mechanical connections, support of themattress124, or the like. In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may include materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and the like. Theskeleton structure130 materials may be used individually or in combination.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may have an interface facility such as wheels, slides, skids, rails, pivot points, and the like that may interface with thesub-frame128 support interface. Theskeleton structure130 interface facility may provide for smooth interaction with thesub-frame128 support interface when theskeleton structure130 is in motion as a result of actuation from theactuators120.
• In an embodiment, avibration facility132 may provide vibration input to theadjustable bed facility102 sections such as the head section, foot section, leg section, torso section, and the like; there may be vibration facilities in any or all of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, thevibration facilities132 may be operated independently, at the same time, at alternate times, in coordination, or the like. For example, thevibration facilities132 in the head section and foot section may be operated at the same time to provide a full body massage or the vibration frequencies may operate at alternating times to provide a wave effect of the vibration moving from the head to foot of theadjustable bed facility102. In another example, thedifferent vibration facilities132 may be used in concert where thevibration facilities132 may be vibrated in sequences to create a massaging effect. It may be understood by one knowledgeable in the art that different effects may be created with more than onevibration facility132.
• In an embodiment, using theremote control118, the user may be able to control the vibration mode of thevarious vibration motors132; the mode may include the vibration setting for a particular bed section, the vibration frequency of at least one of thevibration motors132, stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibration motors, or the like. Theremote control118 may providevibration motor132 control information to theadjustable bed facility102controller150 for control of the vibration characteristics of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may include user inputs that include at least one of head vibration increase, head vibration decrease, foot vibration increase, foot vibration decrease, user preferred vibration settings, vibration stop, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be capable of a plurality of vibration frequencies. For example, thevibration motor132 may be able to operate on frequencies such as high, medium, low, settings 1-10, or the like. In an embodiment, a first vibration frequency may be stopped before a second vibration frequency is started. In embodiments, the stopping between the first vibration and the second vibration may be automatic and controlled by the logic within thecontroller150, may be manually indicated by the user using theremote control118, or the like. As an example of manual input, thevibration motor132 may be operating on a medium frequency and the user may provide a stop vibration input on theremote control118 to stop thefirst vibration motor132 vibration before pressing the low vibration frequency input.
• Referring toFIG. 5A andFIG. 5B, an embodiment of avibration motor132 is shown within an opening of anadjustable bed facility102 supportlateral surface508. Theadjustable bed facility102 section may have alateral surface508 and thelateral surface508 may include an opening in which thevibration motor132 may be located; thevibration motor132 may fit within the opening such that thevibration motor132 may not contact thelateral surface508. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be secured to theadjustable bed facility102 section using at least onebracket504. In an embodiment, when more than onebracket504 is used, at least one of thebrackets504 may be separable and removable. In an embodiment, the at least onebracket504 may be shaped to secure thevibration motor132 within the section opening such as a straight bracket, a U shaped bracket, an L shaped bracket, or the like; inFIG. 5A andFIG. 5B thebracket504 is shown as astraight bracket504. In an embodiment, the removal of one of thebrackets504 may facilitate securing thevibration motor132 to the bed section, facilitating the servicing of thevibration motor132, or the like. Thebracket504 may be positioned such that at least one portion of thebracket504 is within the opening of thelateral surface508 and may also be positioned such that thebracket504 may overlap thevibration motor132 flange. Thevibration motor132 flange may extend beyond the perimeter of the opening of the mattress support and theresilient material502 may provide positional support for thevibration motor132 so that the flange imparts vibration to themattress124 without contacting the mattress support. The at least onebracket504 may be coupled to themattress support508 using a removable coupling. Removing the at least one bracket may facilitate removing and servicing the motor. Theresilient material502 may provide mechanical insulation between the flange and the perimeter of the opening in themattress support508. Theresilient material502 disposed between the flange and thelateral support508 surface of the at least onebracket504 may further provide positional support for thevibration motor132 housing. Thebracket504 may be constructed using material such as plastic, metal, or the like and may be constructed using the materials individually or in combination. In an embodiment, there may be aresilient material502 associated with thebrackets504, the resilient material may provide for dampening the vibration between thevibration motor132 and theadjustable bed facility102, may contact thevibration motor132 to secure thevibration motor132 to the bed section, may provide for dampening of vibration to theadjustable bed facility102 and hold thevibration motor132 in place, or the like. Theresilient material502 may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or in combination.
• In an embodiment, thevibration facility132 may be connected to theskeleton structure114, themattress124, thelateral surface508, or the like where the vibration may be imparted into theadjustable bed facility102mattress124 as desired by the user. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 flange may provide surface area that may impart a vibration into themattress124. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be secured to theadjustable bed facility102 section using two separable brackets; at least one of the two separable brackets may be removable. In an embodiment, the removal of one of the brackets may facilitate securing thevibration motor132 to the bed section, facilitating the servicing of thevibration motor132, or the like. The bracket may be constructed using a material such as plastic, metal, or the like and may be constructed using the materials individually or in combination. In an embodiment, there may be a resilient material attached to the brackets, the resilient material may provide for a dampening the vibration between thevibration motor132 and theadjustable bed facility102, may contact thevibration motor132 to secure thevibration motor132 to the bed section, or the like. For example, the brackets may be attached to theadjustable bed facility102 section with the resilient material making contact with thevibration motor132 that may be in an opening of the section. The resilient material may provide the force required to hold the vibration motor in place within the section opening and may provide dampening of the vibration to the adjustable bed facility. The resilient material may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or in combination.
• In an embodiment, the electricmotor vibration facility132 may use DC or AC current to power the motor. In an embodiment, to provide the vibration, the motor may rotate an offset mass on the motor shaft that may cause thevibration facility132,mattress124,skeleton structure130, or the like to vibrate. The user may feel the vibration through themattress124, springs122, or the like.
• In an embodiment, an air bladder or air spring may be used to provide a vibration to theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the air bladder or air spring air pressure may be varied at a frequency to create a vibration within thevibration facility132,mattress124,skeleton structure130, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be an air supply unit that supplies the frequency varied air pressure to the air bladder or air spring.
• In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be in proximity to a vibration distribution facility that may aid in the propagation of vibration energy to theadjustable bed facility102 section. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be operatively connected to the vibration distribution facility, may be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, may not be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the vibration distribution facility may provide for a more uniform distribution of the vibration characteristics of thevibration motor132 and may have a size and shape relative to the size and shape of theadjustable bed facility102 section. The vibration distribution facility may be constructed using materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or the like and may be constructed using these materials individually or in combination. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the speed, amplitude, pulse, and the like of thevibration facility132 using an interface such as theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, thevibrator facility132 may be mounted to themattress124 using the vibration distribution facility,resilient material502, strong fabric, or the like. In an embodiment, eachadjustable bed facility102 section that includes avibrator facility118 may have an opening in the section to accept thevibrator facility118. In an embodiment, over the opening in the section, a layer ofresilient material502, strong fabric, or the like may be placed. The layer ofresilient material502, strong fabric, or the like may be placed between thevibrator facility132 and themattress124. In an embodiment, thevibrator facility132 may impart vibrations to amattress124 through theresilient material502 disposed over an opening in anadjustable bed facility102 section. In an embodiment, a fabric cover may be disposed over theresilient material502 and/or anadjustable bed facility102 section, between thevibrator facility132 and themattress124. In embodiments, a plurality of fabric covers may be disposed over theresilient material502 and/or anadjustable bed facility102 section to provide stabilization. In an embodiment, thevibrator facility132 may impart vibrations to amattress124 through aresilient material502 and a fabric or plurality of fabrics covering theresilient material502 and/oradjustable bed facility102 section.
• In an embodiment, theresilient material502 may be foam, cotton matting, or the like. In an embodiment, the vibration distribution facility may be plastic, wood, rubber, metal, or the like and may be any size and/or shape that supports the required vibration characteristics. The vibration distribution facility may have a plurality of barbs or other anchoring devices that may be pushed into the resilient material, strong fabric, or the like to secure the vibration distribution facility in place on top of the resilient material, strong fabric, or the like. In an embodiment, the barbs or other anchoring devices may have a number of gripping edges, points, or the like to provide a connection with the resilient material and strong fabric.
• In an embodiment, thevibrator facility132 may be mounted to the vibration distribution facility through the opening of theadjustable bed facility102 sectionlateral surface508. In an embodiment, thevibration motor132 may be operatively connected to the vibration distribution facility, may be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, may not be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be a layer of resilient material, strong fabric, or the like between thevibrator motor118 and the vibration distribution facility.
• In an embodiment, any space between thevibration facility132 and the opening of theadjustable bed facility102 section may be filled with a vibration absorbent material such as foam, cotton matting, rubber, or the like. The absorbent material may provide a layer of vibration insulation between thevibration facility132 and theadjustable bed facility102 section opening.
• In an embodiment, the combination of the vibration distribution facility andvibration facility132 may be a vibration facility assembly. In an embodiment, thevibration facility132 assembly may be attached to theadjustable bed facility118 sections with the plurality of barbs or anchoring devices.
• Referring again toFIG. 1, in an embodiment, thesupports134 may be hydraulic pressurized cylinders that may provide additional control of the decent of theadjustable bed facility102 sections. The pressurized supports134 may be designed to support a certain amount of weight that may include theskeleton structure130,mattress124, springs122, user, and the like. In an embodiment, the pressurized cylinders may be similar to the type of supports that are used in automobile trunks to support the trunk open while the user access the trunk area.
• In an embodiment, thesupports134 may provide a safety feature when combined with thesafety bracket138. Thesafety bracket138 may prevent the actuators from forcibly pulling theadjustable bed facility102 sections down; the safety bracket is described in more detail below. Thesupports134 may be positioned on the sections that are actuated and may provide a controlled speed at which the sections will return to a horizontal position. In an embodiment, thesupport134 may provide support of a weight that is less than the weight of the section, therefore the section will provide enough force (e.g. weight) on thesupport134 to compress the cylinder and move the section down. In an embodiment, there may be more than onesupport134 for each actuatedadjustable bed facility102 section. In an embodiment, thesupport134 may be connected between theskeleton structure130 and thesub-frame128.
• In an embodiment, thesafety bracket138 may be a slotted bracket that provides the connection between theactuators120 and theskeleton structure130 for the purpose of moving theadjustable bed facility102 sections. A side of the slot that is farthest from theactuator120 may be the slot first side and may be the side that theactuator120 pushes on to move theadjustable bed102 section up. A side of the slot that is nearest to theactuator120 may be the slot second side and may be the side theactuator120 pulls on to move theadjustable bed102 section down. In an embodiment, when theactuator120 is expanding and moving anadjustable bed facility102 section it may apply a force on the first side of the slot and move the section in an upward direction. When theactuator120 is retracted to move the section in a downward direction, theactuator120 connection may move into the middle area (e.g. not in contact with the first or second side of the slot) of thesafety bracket138 slot. As theactuator120 connection moves into the slot middle area, theadjustable bed facility102 section may move in a downward motion under the force of section weight. In an embodiment, theactuator120 may retract at the same speed as thesafety bracket138 moves; therefore theactuator120 connection may stay in thesafety bracket138 slot middle areas and not make contact with the second side of thesafety bracket138 slot. In this manner, theactuator120 connection may not contact the second side of the slot and therefore theadjustable bed102 section may not move in the downward direction by the force of theactuator120.
• In an embodiment, if theactuator120 connection comes in contact with the second side of thesafety bracket138 slot, there may be a shutoff switch, shutoff indicator, or the like that may stop the retraction of theactuator104.
• In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may include anelectronic facility140. In an embodiment, theelectronic facility140 may include awire harness142, acommunications module144,power outlets154,modular controls148, apower supply152, apower connection158, and the like. In an embodiment, different components of theelectronic facility140 may be individual components, combined components, individual and combined components, or the like. For example, thecommunications module144,controller150, and power supplied may be individual components, may be combined into a single component, may be a combination of individual and combined components, or the like. In an embodiment, the variouselectronic facility140 components may be mounted on thesub-frame128,skeleton structure114, or the like as required for the particular component.
• In an embodiment, thewire harness142 may provide power and data connections to a plurality ofmodular controls148. Depending on thepower supply152, thewire harness142 may provide either DC or AC power to themodular controls148. In an embodiment, the data connections may be serial, parallel, or the like. In an embodiment, the wire harness may have the same number of power/data connections as there are possiblemodular controls148. In an embodiment, the wire harness may be a unit of power/data connections that may be bound together into a single wire harness. In another embodiment, the wire harness may be a group of individual power/data connections. In an embodiment, for each individual wire in the bundle, group, or the like, a first end may have connections for thecontroller150 andpower supply152. A second end of thewire harness142 may be a power and data connection for each individualmodular control148.
• In an embodiment, acommunications module144 may receive user commands from aremote control118. In an embodiment, thecommunications module144 may have a wireless or wired connection to theremote control118. In an embodiment, the wirelessremote control118 tocommunications module144 communications may be a radio frequency (RF) communication, infrared (IR) communication, BLUETOOTH communication, or the like. In an embodiment, thecommunications module144 may receive the communication command from theremote control118 and transmit theremote control118 command to thecontroller150. The communication with thecontroller150 may be wireless or wired. In an embodiment, the wireless communication between thecommunications module144 and thecontroller150 may be a radio frequency (RF) communication, infrared (IR) communication, BLUETOOTH communication, or the like. In an embodiment, thecommunications module144 may be combined with thecontroller150 into a single component. In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be used as an RF antenna for receiving communication from theremote control118 to thecommunications module144. In embodiment, theentire skeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna; a portion of theskeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna, or the like.
• In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may provide additional functionality to theadjustable bed facility102 that may include a headboard, a footboard, a table, a cabinet, a book shelf, a refrigerator, a freezer, a space for personal waste accommodation that may include a stereo, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, a digital recorder, one or more speakers with a surround sound system, a printer machine, a fax machine, a display system,power outlets154, anair purification facility160, a zonedclimate control system150 or the like. The additional functionality that themodular controls148 provide may be considered optional equipment that may be offered with theadjustable bed facility102. For example, a user may be able to purchase anadjustable bed facility102 without anymodular controls148 and may add modular controls as he or she desires. In another example, the user may purchase theadjustable bed facility102 with modular controls already installed.
• In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may have predetermined mounting locations on thesub-frame128,skeleton structure130, or the like. Such locations may have a widespread pivot to couple the modular controls with theadjustable bed facility102. For example, the refrigerator can be removed and replaced by another refrigerator without any modification in the pivot connecting the refrigerator and theadjustable bed facility102. In a similar manner, additional devices and facilities may be coupled to theadjustable bed facility102 using the widespread pivot. In an embodiment, these devices and facilities coupled via the pivot may be removed for various functions. For example, a user may remove a device for repairing, for upgrading the devices with new and additional functionalities and the like. Also, the user may remove the device to perform some other function. For example, a foot section may be removed to create a chair in theadjustable bed facility102. Therefore, themodular controls148 may be compact, ready to use, provide a plurality of additional functionalities and may be mounted in accordance with the user's requirements.
• In an embodiment, these devices and facilities may receive power frompower outlets154 controlled by themodular control148. Themodular control148 may directly or indirectly control the facilities that are connected to themodular control148. Further, the user may control thepower outlet140 to turn the device on or off but the user may not be able to control the individual device (e.g. raising or lowering of the foot board). In an embodiment, the user may control the additional functional devices by using theremote control118 that may have an interface for each of themodular controls148. For example, there may be an interface on theremote control118 for raising the footboard, lowering the footboard, placing the foot board inside its cabinet or the like. Also, the user may open/close the book shelf, turn on/off the refrigerator by the interface of theremote control118. In a similar manner, the user may be able to control if apower outlet140 provided by amodular control148 is on or off.
• In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may directly control devices, indirectly control devices, or the like such as a stereo, CD player, DVD player, a digital recorder, one or more speakers with a surround sound system, air purification facilities, a printer machine, a fax machine or the like. These devices and facilities may receive power frompower outlets154 that are controlled by themodular control148. In an example, themodular control148 may directly control a lamp that is connected to themodular control148 but may indirectly control a device or facility that is plugged into apower outlet154 controlled by themodular control148. Further, the user may control thepower outlet154 to turn the device on or off but the user may not be able to control the individual device (e.g. the volume or functions of a stereo system). In an embodiment, the user may control the additional functional devices by using theremote control118 that may have an interface for each of themodular controls148. For example, there may be an interface on theremote control118 for selecting the function of the stereo system, increasing or decreasing the volume of the system, as well as turning on a lamp, turning off a lamp, dimming a lamp, and the like. In a similar manner, the user may be able to control if apower outlet154 provided by amodular control148 is on or off.
• In an embodiment, the user may install one or more display systems. The display system may be an LCD mounted on a swivel arm, a projector system, a footboard integrated flat screen, and the like. The user may control the display systems by using theremote control118 that may have an interface for the display systems. For example, turning the display system on/off, adjusting the resolution of the screen, fine tuning the contrast and brightness of the display, and the like. In an exemplary scenario, the swivel arm may be mounted on thesub-frame128,skeleton structure130, or the like. In another exemplary scenario, the footboard integrated flat screen may be placed inside or outside a compartment. Further, the integrated flat screen may be raised or lowered, into the stored compartment or may be fixed in a single position. The user may be able to turn thepower outlet154 on/off using theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, the user may control additional functional devices by using communication ports. The communication ports may enable the use of additional devices such as a printer machine, a fax machine, and the like. The additional device connection may be a serial connection, a USB connection, a USB device, a parallel connection, a wireless connection, or the like. The user may control the printer machine by using theremote control118 that may have an interface for the printer machine. For example, there may be an interface on theremote control118 for turning on a printer machine, turning off the printer machine, executing one or more print commands, canceling the print commands, and the like. In a similar manner, the user may also control the fax machine by using theremote control118 that may have an interface for the fax machine. The user may furnish one or more fax commands, receive incoming fax commands, turn the fax machine on/off with the use of the fax machine interface on theremote control118. In an exemplary scenario, the user may be able to turn thepower outlet154 provided by themodular control148 on/off using theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may be connected to thecontroller150,power supply152, or the like; the connection may be thewire harness142. In an embodiment, themodular controls148 may communicate with thecontroller150 by a wireless means that may include radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or other wireless communication type.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may interpret commands received from thecommunications module144 into commands for the variousadjustable bed facility102 components such as theactuators120, thevibration facility132, themodular controls148,power outlets154, and the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may contain a microprocessor, microcontroller, or the like to run a software application to interpret the commands received from theremote control118 through thecommunications module144. In an embodiment, the software application may be interrupt based, polling based, or other application method for determining when a user has selected a command on theremote control118. In an embodiment, the software application may be stored in thecontroller150, stored inbed memory170, or the like and may be stored as software, as firmware, as hardware, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may receive information from thecommunications module144 by wired communication, wireless communication, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or other wireless communication type.
• In an embodiment, after thecontroller150 has interpreted the received user commands, thecontroller150 may transmit the interpreted commands to the various controllers for theadjustable bed facility102 components such as theactuators120,vibrator facility132,modular controls148,power outlets154, and the like. Thecontroller150 may transmit information that may be further interpreted by the components into commands for the individual components. For example, thecontroller150 may receive a command to move the head section up. Thecontroller150 may interpret theremote control118 command into a command the actuator may understand and may transmit the command to extend the head section actuator to move the head section up.
• In an embodiment, thepower supply152 may receive power from a standard wall outlet, fuse box, circuit box, or the like and may provide power to all the powered components of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, thepower supply152 may provide DC power or AC power to the components. In an embodiment, if thepower supply152 provides DC power, thepower supply152 may convert the incoming AC power into DC power for theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, thepower outlets154 may provide standard household AC current using a standard outlet for use by external devices using a standard plug. In an embodiment, thepower outlets154 may receive power directly from a standard wall outlet, a fuse box, a circuit box, or the like, but thecontroller150 may control whether thepower outlet154 on or off. In an embodiment, thepower outlet154 may have a control circuit that may determine if thepower outlet154 is active (on) or inactive (off). In an embodiment, the command to indicate if thepower outlet154 is active or inactive may be received from thecontroller150. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may receive commands for thepower outlet154 control from theremote control118.
• In an embodiment, thepower connection158 may receive standard power for theadjustable bed facility102 from a standard outlet, fuse box, circuit box, or the like. In an embodiment, thepower connection158 may provide standard AC power to thepower outlets154, thepower supply152, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be any type of device or facility that may be capable of improving that air environment in the area of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be an absorbent type (e.g. carbon), electro-static, HEPA filter, or the like. In an embodiment, absorbent materials may be used in a filter, in theadjustable bed facility102, in themattress124, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the air environment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In an embodiment, electro-static or iconic air filters may use negative ions to attract dust, contaminants, and the like from the air. In an embodiment, electro-static materials (e.g. tourmaline) may be used in a filter, in theadjustable bed facility102, in themattress124, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the air environment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In an embodiment, HEPA filters are composed of a mat of randomly arranged fibers that are designed to trap at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (μm) at 85 liters per minute (Lpm). The HEPA filter may be used in a device, facility, or the like for filtering the air in the area of theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be part of theadjustable bed facility102, a freestanding device or facility, or the like. In an embodiment, if theair purification facility160 is part of theadjustable bed facility102 theair purification facility160 may be attached to any part of theadjustable bed facility102 such as themattress124,sub-frame128,skeleton structure130, or the like. In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 that is attached to theadjustable bed facility102 may be controlled direct control of theair purification facility160, control using theremote control118, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be a free standing device that may be plugged into anadjustable bed facility102,power outlet154 and therefore may be controlled with theremote control118 controlling the on/off condition of thepower outlet154.
• In an embodiment, theair purification facility160 may be a freestanding device that may be connected to anadjustable bed facility102modular control148. Themodular control148 may provide power (AC or DC), control communication, and the like to theair purification facility160. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control theair purification facility160 using theremote control118 to control themodular controls148.
• In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may be any type of device or facility that may be capable of controlling the environment within one or more zones of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the zone may be a single room or may be two different sides of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, two different users may sleep in different environments or two users may sleep in a single environment controlled by the zoneclimate control system162. In an embodiment, the user may request the provision of different environments in the different sides of theadjustable bed facility102. Accordingly, the zoneclimate control system162 may decide on which side the zone vents are to be closed and which side they are to be kept open. Additionally, the zoneclimate control system162 may heat or cool the zones of the bed, circulate air to heat or cool a zone by mixing air with air from another zone, circulate air to reduce excessive conditioning of a zone, or circulate air to maintain air quality. In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may determine and develop parameters such as airflow, thermal capacity, heating or cooling requirements, and the like by measurement and/or derivation.
• In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may be a free standing device that may be plugged into anadjustable bed facility102power outlet140 and therefore may be controlled with theremote control118 controlling the on/off condition of thepower outlet140.
• In an embodiment, the zoneclimate control system162 may be a freestanding device that may be connected to anadjustable bed facility102modular control148. Themodular control148 may provide power (AC or DC), control communication, and the like to the zoneclimate control system162. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the zoneclimate control system162 using theremote control118 to control themodular controls148.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may be a user controlled device to provide control commands to thecontroller150 to command certain functions of theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the certain functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g. up or down), vibration control, modular controlled132 devices, or the like. In an embodiment, theremote control118 may communicate with the control box using wired communication, wireless communication, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be using a radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. If the remote communicates using a wireless technology, the communication may be with thecommunications module144 and thecommunications module144 may pass the command request to thecontroller150.
• In an embodiment, the user may indicate the certainadjustable bed facility102 function using theremote control118 by pressing a button, touching a screen, entering a code, speaking a command, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150, using thecommunications module144, may receive and interpret the command provided by theremote control118. In an embodiment, the certain functions available on the remote may instruct thecontroller150 to directly control a device (e.g. actuator104), control amodular control148 connected device, or the like. The remote may control devices with commands that may include on, off, high power, medium power, low power, volume, play, fast forward, rewind, skip, modular device to control, or the like. For example, theremote control118 may transmit a command to move the head section up and thecontroller150 may command theactuator120 to extend a certain amount in response to the command. In another example, theremote control118 may command that amodular control148 connected lamp be turned off.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may saveadjustable bed facility102 user preferred settings to a plurality of memory locations that may be used to maintain the user determined bed position, anadjustable bed facility102 historical setting, or the like. For example, the user may have a certain preferredadjustable bed facility102 position that may be stored in at least one of the memory locations that the user may be able to later recall to move the adjustable bed facility into the user preferred position. By indicating the recall of the at least one memory locations, theadjustable bed facility102controller150 may command the various components to move to the stored memory location position to achieve the recalled position. In an embodiment, for aremote control118 that may contain buttons, the user may press a single button, a combination of buttons, or the like to recall the memory position desired.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may have buttons, an LCD screen, a plasma screen, or the like to allow the user to indicate the desired command. In an embodiment, the user may press a button to indicate a command to thecontroller150. In an embodiment, the LCD or plasma screens may be touch screen sensitive. In an embodiment, theremote control118 screen may present the available controls to the user and the user may touch the screen to indicate the command desired. For example, theremote control118 screen may only present controls that are available in theadjustable bed facility102; therefore, if amodular control148 is not available, theremote control118 may not display a selection for thatmodular control148. In an embodiment, theremote control118 screen may present content sensitive selections to the user. For example, if the user selected to control a CD player, the user may be presented with CD player controls that may include play, fast forward, rewind, skip, stop, repeat, or the like. Also, the LCD touch screen may provide information relating to temperature, humidity, weather information, calendar, and contact personnel's lists, to-do lists, navigating maps or the like.
• In an embodiment, theremote control118 may provide feedback to the user to indicate the success of the certain command. In an embodiment, the feedback may be an audio feedback, a visual feedback, a forced feedback, or the like. In an embodiment, the feedback types may be used individually or in combination. In an embodiment, the audio feedback may be a sound that indicates that the command was successful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with a command in progress, failed for safety reasons, or the like. In an embodiment, the visual feedback may be an indication of theremote control118 screen that indicates that the command was successful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with a command in progress, failed for safety reasons, or the like. In an embodiment, the forced feedback may be a vibration that indicates that the command was successful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with a command in progress, failed for safety reasons, or the like.
• In an embodiment, a memory facility164 may contain components that are intended to maintain certain memory locations for the control box to access, receiver to access, and the like. In an embodiment, the memory facility164 may include areceiver learn facility168, abed memory170, abackup battery172, and the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility168,bed memory170, andbackup battery172 may be in a single memory facility164 or may be in more than onememory facilities154. In an embodiment, the memory facility164 may be part of theadjustable bed facility102, part of theelectronic facility140, a separate facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility168,bed memory170, andbackup battery172 may not be part of the memory facility164, but may be combined into other facilities or devices, be stand-alone devices, or the like.
• In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility168 may act to establish the communication link between theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 where the communication between theremote control118 andcommunications module144 is a wireless connection. In an embodiment, the communication link between theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 may need to be a unique connection to assure that theremote control118 communicates with only onecommunications module144 within oneadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the receiver learnsfacility152 may be used to provide a unique communication between anyremote control118 and anyadjustable bed facility102. For example, aremote control118 may be used to communicate with a firstadjustable bed facility102 and may be used to establish communication between the same remote and a secondadjustable bed facility102. Theremote control118 may only be able to communicate with oneadjustable bed facility102 at a time.
• In an embodiment, a learn protocol between theremote control118 andcommunications module144 may be user initiated by pressing a button on the receiver learnfacility168, powering up the receiver learnfacility168, bringing the receiver learnfacility168 within a certain proximity of thecommunications module144, indicating on theremote control118 to begin the learn protocol, or the like. In an embodiment, the learn protocol may be fully automatic, semi-automatic with user intervention, manual, or the like. In an embodiment, a user may select a channel, frequency, or the like during learn protocol or after the learn protocol. The changing of the channel, frequency, or the like may prevent two differentremote control118 andcommunications module144 combinations from interfering with other wireless communication devices. In an embodiment, each time the learn protocol is executed, a new unique communication link may be established; there may be a plurality of unique communication links available for eachremote control118 andcommunications module144 combination.
• In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be the memory location where thecontroller150 stores user desired preset information, software for interpretingremote control118 commands, demonstration software, and the like. In an embodiment, thebed memory170 may be removable memory. For example, thebed memory170 may be moved from a firstadjustable bed facility102 to asecond bed facility102 to move user settings from the firstadjustable bed facility102 to thesecond bed facility102. In this manner, thebed memory170 may be considered portable memory. In an embodiment, theremovable bed memory170 may be flash memory, programmable logic circuit memory, secure digital (SD) memory, mini SD memory, Compact Flash type I memory, Compact Flash type II memory, Memory Stick, Multimedia Card, xD Picture card, Smartmedia, eXtreme Digital, Microdrive, or the like.
• In an embodiment, theremovable bed memory170 may be used to upgrade theadjustable bed facility102 memory and software. For example, ifnew controller150 software was developed to provide better control over one of theadjustable bed facility102 components, the software may be saved to a new replaceable memory that may be used in the place of the existing replaceable memory. In this manner, the software of theadjustable bed facility102 could be upgraded just by providing the user with a new replaceable memory.
• In an embodiment, the removable memory may be used to provide a sales enterprise withadjustable bed facility102 demonstration software where the enterprise may be able to indicate at least one of a plurality of demonstrations for a user. For example, the user may be interested in how theadjustable bed facility102 sections may be adjusted and the enterprise may select a demonstration to shows all the section motion available. In an embodiment, before anadjustable bed facility102 is shipped to a user, the enterprise may remove the demonstration removable memory and replace it with a standardadjustable bed facility102bed memory170.
• In an embodiment, thebackup battery172 may be used to provide power to volatile memory, provide power to the receiver learnfacility168; provide power to the programmable logic circuit memory, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thememory connection174 may be any connection type that provides a connection between thebed memory170,controller150, and the like. In an embodiment, thememory connection174 may be a wired or wireless connection. The wired connection may be a USB connection, a serial connection, parallel connection, or the like. The wireless connection may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In an embodiment, thememory connection174 may be in a location that is easy for the user to access thebed memory170, may be attached to the memory facility164, may be attached to thecontroller150, or the like. In an embodiment, the easy access memory connection may be on the side of theadjustable bed facility102, on a rail of theadjustable bed facility102, under theadjustable bed facility102, or the like.
• In an embodiment, thenetwork connection178 may be used to connect thecontroller150 to a network connection. In an embodiment, the network connection may be a LAN, a WAN, an Internet, an intranet, peer-to-peer network, or the like. Using thenetwork connection178, thecontroller150 may be able to communicate with computer devices on the network. In an embodiment, thenetwork connection178 may be a wired or wireless connection.
• In an embodiment, using thenetwork connection178, thecontroller150 may be able to communicate with the network to periodically check for software updates. In an embodiment, if a software update is located, thecontroller150 may send the user an email, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like to indicate that software updates are available. The user, using the device that received the notice of software, may send a reply to the control box that the software upgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.
• In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 enterprises, anadjustable bed facility102 manufacturers, anadjustable bed facility102 service enterprises, or the like may send thecontroller150 software updates using thenetwork connection178. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility102 enterprise, anadjustable bed facility102 manufacturer, anadjustable bed facility102 service enterprise, or the like may notify the user of available software upgrades for theadjustable bed facility102 by email, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, message, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like. The user, using the device that received the notice of software, may send a reply to theadjustable bed facility102 enterprise, theadjustable bed facility102 manufacturer, theadjustable bed facility102 service enterprise, or the like that the software upgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.
• Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment of shipping and assembling amattress retaining bracket402 is shown. Themattress retaining bracket402 may be used to hold the mattress124 (not shown) in place on theadjustable bed facility102 as theadjustable bed facility102 sections are adjusted. For example, as the head section is adjusted up, themattress124 may tend to slide down towards the foot of the bed, themattress retaining bracket402 may stop the mattress from sliding and may maintain themattress124 in the proper position on theadjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, there may be a mattress retaining402 bracket at the head section and/or the foot section of theadjustable bed facility102.
• In an embodiment, themattress retaining bracket402 may be made of materials that include metal, plastic, rubber, wood, or the like. In an embodiment, the materials may be used individually or in combination.
• In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4A, when theadjustable bed facility102 is shipped to the user, themattress retaining bracket402 may be mounted upside down at the final location of themattress retaining bracket402. This mounting method may provide benefits that may includemattress retaining bracket402 breakage prevention,mattress retaining bracket402 bending prevention, clear user understanding of the finalmattress retaining bracket402 location, prevention of themattress retaining bracket402 becoming lost, and the like. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4B, once the user receives theadjustable bed facility102 with the upside down mountedmattress retaining bracket402, the user may rotate themattress retaining bracket402 into the upright position and re-secure it to theadjustable bed facility102.
• Referring toFIG. 6, an example of an adjustable bed600 (without the mattress) is shown with thehead602 and foot604 sections raised to an elevated position. Thisadjustable bed600 shows that sections, in this case thefoot604 section, may be divided into more than one section to provide contouring of bed sections.
• Referring toFIG. 7, an example ofactuators120 connected to thebed frame702 and theadjustable sections704 is shown. In this case, twoactuators120 are used, one for eachadjustable bed section704.
• Referring toFIG. 8, an example of more than oneactuator120 for eachadjustable bed section802 is shown; in this case, there are twoactuators120 for eachadjustable section802. In embodiments, more than oneactuator120 persection802 may be used if thebed sections802 are heavy,smaller actuators120 are used, if the bed is a wide bed (e.g. king bed), or the like.
• Referring toFIG. 9, an example of anadjustable bed900 usingslats902 instead of wood decking for the foundation of the adjustable sections is shown. In embodiments, theslats902 may be wood, plastic, rubber, cloth, elastic material, or the like. Using this design, theadjustable bed900 may be provided with curved contours has shown in thehead section904. In an embodiment, the curved sections may be constructed of a number of small connected individual sections.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may include more than one section/frame. The sections/frames may be fixed or may be adjustable/movable. Further, the sections/frames may be assembled together to form theskeleton structure130 in such a way that the sections/frames may be able to move relative to each other to provide the various bed positions required by the user. To achieve this, the sections/frames may be connected together using hinges or like devices that allow a freedom of motion between them. In one embodiment, one frame/section may remain fixed and may act as the foundation for the other movable frames/sections. For example, in an arrangement as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, theskeleton structure130 may have a fixedcenter frame1002 and, optionally, adjustable frames for thehead1004,foot1008, orleg1010. In this arrangement, theadjustable head frame1004 and theadjustable leg frame1010 may be pivotally attached to thecenter frame1002. The pivot attachments may enable rotational movement of thehead frame1004 and theleg frame1010 with respect to the fixedcenter frame1002. In a scenario, because of this rotational movement, thehead frame1004 may be raised with the help of theactuators120 to raise the upper portion of a patient body during meals. Further, thehead frame1004 may be lowered to the normal level after the patient has had his/her meal. In a similar fashion, a person lying on theadjustable bed102 may raise or lower thehead frame1004 and/or thefoot frame1008 to his/her convenience. In another embodiment, any or none of the frames/sections may be a fixed foundation section in theadjustable bed facility102. In embodiments, there may be more than oneadjustable bed facility102 configuration depending on the requirements of a user, cost requirements, medical needs, or the like. For example, there may be a configuration where only the head section is adjustable to provide the user with the ability to have an elevated upper body position. This configuration may be a single purpose bed but may also provide the user with a less expensiveadjustable bed facility102 that meets the user's needs. One skilled in the art may understand that there may be many different adjustable bed facility configurations containing fixed and moveable sections. For example,FIG. 35 shows an embodiment of thehead frame1004 including a single piece of material3502 (e.g., bent steel or the like) as the underlying support as an alternative to two straight pieces of material1020 as shown inFIG. 10A.
• In embodiments, there may be different combinations of movable and fixed sections with one or all of the sections being movable. In an embodiment, the sections may include theskeleton structure130,mattress124, springs122, and the like, and may individually be small mattress structures of the entireadjustable bed facility102 mattress.
• In embodiments, the frames may be made of square tubular steel bars/pipes or any other material capable of providing required strength to the frames. In preferred embodiments, each frame may include two substantially parallel side frame members connected by one or more connector frame members. In order to connect the parallel side frame members, various joining methods such as welding, brazing, riveting, fastening with nuts, and the like can be used. For example, thecenter frame1002 may include two substantially parallelside frame members1012 connected by two substantially parallelconnector frame members1014 and1018. The twoconnector frame members1014 and1018 may be located within approximately a center one-third of the length of theside frame members1012. Once the frame members have been connected to each other using any one of the joining methods as discussed above, thecenter frame1002 may take a substantially square or rectangular shape. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the frames may have various other shapes and designs to perform the same functionality and without deviating from the scope of the invention.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure114, as part of eachadjustable bed facility102 frame/section, may also provide support and connection members for the components that may be used to move the variousadjustable bed facility102 sections. There may beskeleton structure130 members that provide connection support to theactuators120, supports134,safety brackets122,vibration motors118, and the like. These support and connection members may have any shape or configuration required to provide the support and connections needed by the various other components. For example, in addition to theskeleton structure130 that is used to provide support to themattress124 and springs122 there may be at least one cross member that may provide a connection to theactuator120 andsafety bracket138.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 and thesub-frame128 may interface with each other; thesub-frame128 may provide structural support and a rigid foundation base to theskeleton structure130. In an arrangement of this embodiment, only one frame of theskeleton structure130 may be attached with thesub-frame128. For example, thecenter frame1002 may be rigidly attached to thesub frame112 in such a manner that thecenter frame1002 may not move with respect to thesub frame128. Thesub-frame128 may provide a base to solidly connect thecenter frame1002 to provide a fixed non-moving section. The other moveable frames such as thehead frame1004 and thefoot frame1008 may be moveably connected to the fixedcenter frame1002 and additionally supported by thesub-frame128 using a moveable interface connection.
• In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may be the rigid structure that is in contact to the floor and may provide a base for any fixedadjustable bed facility102 sections and an interface for any movableadjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 legs may be connected to thesub-frame128 using a threaded stud into threads of thesub-frame128. In an embodiment, to prevent the threaded stud from pulling out of the legs during tightening, the head of the threaded stud may be fixed between two or more layers of leg material. This construction may trap the threaded stud head to prevent it from moving away from the end of the leg and may also prevent the threaded stud head from being pulled through the end of the leg during the tightening of the leg to the sub-frame. In addition, the two or more layers of leg material may provide for added strength to thesub-frame128 legs to prevent distortion at thesub-frame128 and leg interface. In an embodiment, thesub-frame128 may have structural members that may run along the length of theadjustable bed facility102, run along the width of theadjustable bed facility102, run diagonally across theadjustable bed facility102, or other orientation in relation to theadjustable bed facility102 that may be required for support or connection to components.
• In an embodiment, theskeleton structure130 may be used as an RF antenna for receiving communication from theremote control118. In embodiment, theentire skeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna; a portion of theskeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna, or the like.
• In one embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide solid connections for any fixed section andskeleton structure130 by rigidly connecting theskeleton structure130 directly to thesub-frame128. In this manner, any fixed section andskeleton structure130 may be rigidly connected to thesub-frame128, and through thesub-frame128, rigidly connected to the floor.
• In another embodiment, thesub-frame128 may provide an interface for the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section andskeleton structure130 where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame128. By providing a non-rigid interface connection between thesub-frame128 and theskeleton structure114, the fixedadjustable bed facility102 section may have a freedom of motion but still may be supported by the sub-frame in a solid foundation manner. For example, as shown inFIG. 11, thecenter frame1002 may havewheels1102 that run in atrack1104 and may be able to move horizontally during the motion of one or more of the movable frames. Thetrack1104 may be in form of a groove, a “C” channel, or the like. Alternatively, thetrack1104 may be in the form of a tube and thewheels1102 may include a concave surface that meets thetrack1104, allowing thewheels110 to run over thetrack1104. In an embodiment, the horizontal freedom of motion may provide for a “wall hugger” feature where, as thehead frame1004 is adjusted up, thecenter frame1002 may move, along with thehead frame1004, horizontally backward and towards an adjacent wall to maintain a fixed distance between thehead frame1004 and the wall, therefore “hugging” the wall. Similarly, when thehead frame1004 is adjusted down, thecenter frame1002 may move horizontally forward and away from the wall to maintain the fixed distance. It may be understood by one skilled in the art that the moveable interface between theskeleton structure130 andsub-frames128 may be any type of interface, such as a rack and a pinion arrangement that may allow freedom of motion between thesub-frame128 andskeleton structure114.
• In an embodiment, any adjustable section/frame may have two connections, a first connection may be provided by a hinge type connection and a second connection may be the connection with theactuator120 andsafety bracket138 that may provide the force to rotate theadjustable bed facility102 section up or down. In an embodiment, the hinge type connection between theskeleton structure130 of a first section and a second section may provide the point of rotation for the section motion. In an embodiment, theadjustable bed facility102 may contain more than one section and any or all of the sections may be connected by a hinge type connection. For example, as shown inFIG. 12, thehead frame1004 may be connected to thecenter frame1002 by two hinge joints. Here, the parallel side frame members of thehead frame1004 may be pivotally connected to a forwardconnector frame member1014 of thecenter frame1002. The hinged joints between each of the parallel side frame members of thehead frame1004 and the forwardconnector frame member1014 may enable the rotational motion between thecenter frame1002 and thehead frame1004. In an arrangement of this embodiment, the hinge joints may be reinforced by providing a “U” shapedend bracket1202 at the end of the parallel side frame members. The “U” shapedend bracket1202 may be of any thickness that increases the strength of the hinge joint to prevent bending. The thickness of the “U” shapedend bracket1202 may be determined by the amount of force and torque that may need to be resisted during the movement. Embodiments of the hinge type connection may include door hinges or the like.
• With theadjustable bed facility102 sections interconnected using hinge type connections there may be at least oneactuator120 that may provide a connection between a fixedadjustable bed facility102 section and a moveable section. In an embodiment, the hinge connection between theadjustable bed facility102 sections may be a pivot point bracket that may include additional strengthening to resist bending forces. In an embodiment, theactuation104 connection may be between two of theskeleton structures114. For example, a first end of theactuator120 may be connected to the rearconnector frame member1018 of thecenter frame1002 and a second end of theactuator120 may be connected to the frame that is to be moved (e.g.head frame1004,leg frame1010, or foot frame1008). In an arrangement, as shown inFIG. 13, a downwardly facing extension frame member/agusset1302 may be attached to thehead frame1004 or any other frame to be moved. Further, theactuator120 may be connected to thehead frame1004 to be moved using the downwardly facing extension frame member.
• In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 13, there may be thegusset1302 for connection between the actuator120 and theadjustable bed facility102 section/frame. In embodiments, thegusset1302 may be an I beam, a T beam, an L beam, a box beam, or any other beam design that may provide the strength to lift the combined weight of theadjustable bed facility102 section and the user without bending. In an embodiment, to resist bending forces at the connections to theactuator120 and theadjustable bed facility102 section, the ends of the gusset may be reinforced. In embodiments, the reinforcement may be an additional bracket added to the ends of the gusset, such as a U bracket or other bracket shape, to provide for increased material thickness and strength of the gusset ends. The thickness of the additional bracket may be determined by the amount of force and torque that may need to be resisted during theadjustable bed facility102 section movement.
• In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may coordinate the electronic requirements of theelectronic facility140. In an embodiment, thecontroller150 may interface with thecommunications module144,remote control118,air purification facility160,zone climate control162,power outlets154,power connection158,power supply152,modular controls148,wire harness142, and the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller150,communications module144, andpower supply152 may be mounted directly to theskeleton structure114. Thecontroller150,communications module144, and thepower supply152 may be mounted on thecenter frame1002. In order to provide a proper mounting space to thecontroller150, thecommunications module144, and thepower supply152, anadditional frame member1402 may be added. Theadditional frame member1402 may be made of a tubular construction. Theadditional frame member1402 is designed in such a manner that it can bear the load of the components mounted on it. In another embodiment, thecontroller150, thecommunications module144, and thepower supply152 may be mounted on any other frame member of thecenter frame1002.
• FIG. 15 illustrates anaccelerometer1504 for an adjustable bed1510 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 15, reference will be made toFIGS. 10A,10B, and11, although it is understood that theaccelerometer1504 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theaccelerometer1504 may have more or less system elements.
• As shown inFIG. 15, the adjustable bed1510 may include acontroller1502 and aprocessor1508. Thecontroller1502, which may be fixed to the moving frame of the adjustable bed1510, may include theaccelerometer1504. In embodiments, theaccelerometer1504 may be wired to an electronic circuit inside thecontroller1502. Further, theaccelerometer1504 may generate one or more signals in response to the change in the speed of movement of the adjustable bed1510.
• In the present embodiment, the signals generated by theaccelerometer1504 may represent the acceleration or deceleration in the movement of the adjustable bed1510. These signals may be transmitted to theprocessor1508 for processing. Theprocessor1508 may encrypt the received signals and may generate instructions in response to the received signals. For example, the instructions may correspond to stopping the movement of the adjustable bed1510. Following this, theprocessor1508 may communicate the instructions to thecontroller1502 of the adjustable bed1510. In embodiments, a controller in thecontroller1502 may control the adjustable parameter(s) of the adjustable bed1510 in response to the received instructions. For example, theaccelerometer1504 may generate one or more signals corresponding to the deceleration in the movement of the adjustable bed1510 caused by an added significant weight. Theaccelerometer1504 may transmit these signals to theprocessor1508. Theprocessor1508 may instruct thecontroller1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510. This may ensure the safety of a user. Also, theaccelerometer1504 may detect changes in the speed of the movement of the adjustable bed1510, where the movement is hindered by an object trapped inside the adjustable bed1510.
• In embodiments, theprocessor1508 may encrypt the received signals and may convert to signal values. These received signal values may be compared with a pre-determined threshold value. These threshold values may be stored in thecontroller1502 and may be set/reset by an administrator. In an exemplary scenario, theprocessor1508 may instruct thecontroller1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510 when the received value exceeds the pre-determined threshold value.
• In another exemplary scenario, theaccelerometer1504 may detect the blocked movement of the adjustable bed1510 and transmit these signals to theprocessor1508. In response to the transmitted signals, theprocessor1508 may instruct thecontroller1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510. Also, thecontroller1502 may move the adjustable bed1510 slightly. Such movements may ensure the safety of the user. For example, a user may get on/off the adjustable bed1510 or jump on/off the bed or in similar situations, the movement of the adjustable bed1510 may be stopped. Therefore, a movable frame of the adjustable bed1510 may be programmed to cease its operation whenever the user makes a significant motion.
• In one embodiment, thecontroller1502, with anaccelerometer1504, may be mounted on thecenter frame1002 of the adjustable bed1510. As described previously, the horizontal freedom of motion of the adjustable bed1510 may provide a “wall hugger” feature to the adjustable bed1510. In this embodiment, as thehead frame1004 is adjusted up, thecenter frame1002 may move, along with thehead frame1004; i.e., thecenter frame1002 may move horizontally backward and towards an adjacent wall to maintain a fixed distance between thehead frame1004 and the wall, therefore “hugging” the wall. In such an arrangement, theaccelerometer1504 may detect the fast and/or slow movement of the adjustable bed1510 towards or away from the wall. These signals may then be transmitted to theprocessor1508. Theprocessor1508 may instruct thecontroller1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510.
• In another embodiment, the horizontal freedom of motion of the adjustable bed1510 may be limited. Such adjustable beds1510 may be referred to as “non-wall hugger” types. In this embodiment, the restricted horizontal movement of thecenter frame1002 may limit the backward and forward movement towards or away from an adjacent wall. Therefore, the adjustable bed1510 may not hug the wall. In the present arrangement, thecontroller1502 may be placed along thehead frame1004 of the adjustable bed. As thehead frame1004 is adjusted up or down, thecontroller1502 may move along with thehead frame1004 moving up and down. In response, theaccelerometer1504 may transmit the signals representing the change in the movement of thehead frame1004 of the adjustable bed to theprocessor1508. Theprocessor1508 may instruct thecontroller1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510 in response to the signals received from theaccelerometer1504. For instance, the blocked movement of the adjustable bed1510 may reduce the movement of the adjustable bed1510. As a result, theprocessor1508 may address thecontroller1502, and the movement of the adjustable bed1510 may be stopped.
• In another embodiment, theaccelerometer1504 may be placed in the drive motor of the adjustable bed1510. In embodiments, theaccelerometer1504 may be wired to the PCB of the motor. In such an arrangement, theaccelerometer1504 may be coupled to at least one portion of the motor that may not retract against a force. In the present embodiment, theaccelerometer1504 may generate and transmit signals representing blocked movement of the frame or the motor. The movement may be blocked by an object or a person. The transmitted signals may be compared with the pre-determined threshold value. Accordingly the movement of the adjustable bed1510 may be stopped. The transmitted signals may vary according to the use of the adjustable bed facility.
• In embodiments, theaccelerometer1504 and theprocessor1508 may transmit the signals wirelessly. The wireless communication may be by radio frequency (RF), UHF, HF, infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In embodiments, thecontroller1502 may have an antenna to receive the control signals from theprocessor1508. In an embodiment, the wireless technology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like.
• Theremote control118 may include one or more motion detection devices, such as accelerometers, magnetic field detectors, and the like. Theremote control118 may detect a motion of theremote control118 through these devices and communicate a representation of that motion to thecontroller150 to enable control of a feature of the adjustable bed. In an example, a user may make a lifting motion with theremote control118 and thecontroller150 may begin to raise an adjustable portion of the bed until the user makes another motion, such as a back and forth motion indicating to thecontroller150 to stop raising the adjustable bed portion. Various other gestures may be made by with the controller to perform other functions including lifting a leg portion of the bed, lowering a back portion of the bed, and the like. Similarly, the gestures could be used to control one or more of the auxiliary devices, to play games on a display controlled by theremote control118 similarly to a hand held game console device, and the like.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may include slider controls1604 that enable the user to control aspects of theadjustable bed facility102, such as shown inFIG. 16. The slider control1604 may function when a user slides their finger along the slider control1604 in adjustment of some aspect of theadjustable bed facility102, such as the adjustment of a position motor, the power level of a vibration motor, and the like. In addition, the slider control1604 may control an adjustable feature within themodular controls148 of theadjustable bed facility102, such as the volume level of an audio device, the volume level of an audio-visual device, the lighting level of a lamp, a setting of theair purification system144, the setting of a height of a motorized set of blinds, the speaker volume level of a phone, and the like. The slider control1604 may be in a plurality of shapes, such as circular1604A, linear1604B, semi-circular, and the like. In embodiments, the slider control1604 may be configured in a two dimensional area, where control is provided in multiple dimensions, such as on the touchpad of a laptop computer. In embodiments, the slider may be implemented with a plurality of technologies, such as the use of a mechanical slider that moves along a track as the user moves their finger, a capacitive coupled touch surface that utilizes changes in capacitance resulting from a user touching or pressing against the slider control1604 surface, a piezoelectric coupled touch-screen that utilizes changes in electrical potential resulting from a user touching or pressing against the slider control1604 surface, a thin film transistor (TFT) touch-screen LCD display, and the like. In embodiments, the touch-screen technologies may have the look and operate in a similar fashion to more conventional mechanical slider and wheel configurations. In addition, the touch-screen technologies may be configured in a layout depicting the physical layout of some mechanical device or control, such as a button, a wheel, a slider, or the like, or a pictorial representation of the adjustable bed, with lift motor buttons, vibration motor buttons, sliders for moving the positions of adjustable portions of the bed, and the like. In embodiments, the use of slider controls1604, implemented any one of a plurality of technologies, may provide the user of theadjustable bed facility102 with greater flexibility and/or greater ease of use in implementing a controllable aspect of theadjustable bed facility102.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may utilize a combination of push button controls1602 and slider controls1604. Push buttons may not only perform discrete functions, such as push to active/deactivate anadjustable bed facility102 function, but may be used in combination with the slider control to select a function of theslider control1602 or change some aspect of theslider control1602. For example, apush button control1602 may sequence through a choice of functions that the slider1604 controls, such as clicking abutton1602 once for head motor position control, twice for foot motor control, three times for head vibration power level, and the like. In addition, the selected function may be indicated visually though some display capability of theremote control118, such as through LEDs, an LCD display, or the like. In embodiments, thebuttons1602 may be used in combination with the slider control1604 to adjust the sensitivity of the slider control1604, such as pressing a button1602 a plurality of times to make control of a position motor through the slider control1604 more or less sensitive, slower or faster, and the like. In embodiments, buttons may provide a plurality of other slider control1604 related features, such as calibration, default position setting, reset control, and the like. In embodiments, the slider control1604, when depressed with increased pressure, may perform as a button control, where functions as discussed herein are executed with the use of the slider control1604 acting as abutton control1602.
• In embodiments, there may be a display indication on theremote control118 associated with the position of articulated portions of theadjustable bed facility102, such as providing a numeric indication, a visual indication, a bar graph indication, an illuminated slider indication, and angle indication, or the like. For instance, the position of the articulated head portion of theadjustable bed facility102 may be adjustable from a flat position to a position of maximum elevation, say up at 70 degrees. Theremote control118 may control the positioning of the head portion, and the current position may be indicated by, for example, a number from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the flat position, and 100 represents the most elevated position. In this example, the display of theremote control118 may indicate the numerical equivalent to the current position, where the numerical indication changes as the head portion of theadjustable bed facility102 moves. In embodiments, theremote control118 implementation may utilize any of a plurality of numeric schemes, as the number may only be a representation of the position of the bed. In addition, the user may be able to input the numerical equivalent into theremote control118 device, for example, by inputting a number such as50, and having the head portion of theadjustable bed facility102 rise to a halfway position. The user may be able to store the numerical equivalent of their favorite positions, such as a user inputting and storing the number25, and being able to recall the stored position in any of a plurality of ways associated with the controls of theremote control118, such as depressing a memory recall button or the like. The user may also use the remote's sliders1604 to easily find a position number they desire, even if not saved in memory, select it and then have the frame go to it immediately. This may let the user select, push, and relax rather than having to hold a button and pay attention to the location of theadjustable bed facility102 as it moves near the desired position. These examples are meant to be illustrative of how a numeric or alphanumeric characters may be used to monitor, store, and recall articulatedbed facility102 positions, and is not meant to be limiting. One skilled in the art would recognize the plurality of similar schemes to achieve similar results. In embodiments these methods may be applied to anyremote control118 parameter, including head motors, foot motors, vibration motors, and the like, as well asmodular controls148 such as audio, video, lamps, air purification, outlets, and the like.
• In embodiments, the display indication on theremote control118 may be associated with a memory function resident on theremote control118, or in association with thetable data202,222 stored in thecontroller150, as described herein. In embodiments, the implementation of the display indication may be associated with both a memory function in theremote control118 and the table202,222 in thecontroller150. This implementation may utilize two-way communications between the remote control and thecontroller150, so as to produce a closed-loop command and verification scheme. For instance, in a scheme where commands are only transmitted to thecontroller150, the display on theremote control118 may only indicate the commanded intention of the user, and may under some circumstances, such as when a command is not received by thecontroller150, reflect the current state of theadjustable bed facility102. With two-way communications however, theremote control118 may always reflect the state of theadjustable bed facility102 as verified by a return confirmation, or in returned telemetry, from thecontroller150. The returned confirmation may reflect the state of theadjustable bed facility102 as provided in the controller's data table202,222, such as the current pointer position in the table202,222, a memory location stored in the table202,222, a memory location not stored in the table202,222, the total range depicted in the table202,222, and the like. As a result, the two-way communications scheme may provide a more reliable system implementation. In embodiments however, a one-way command scheme may provide an effective system implementation at a reduced cost. In embodiments, a one-way scheme may utilize a state synchronization event, such as a reset whenever theadjustable bed facility102 is set back to the flat position, to help ensure that the positions indicated by theremote control118 are periodically synchronized to the data stored in the adjustable bed'scontroller150.
• In embodiments, groupings ofpush buttons1602 may be provided withadjacent button1602 suppression.Adjacent button1602 suppression may work to preventmultiple buttons1602 or sliders1604 from responding to a single touch, which may occur with closely spacedbuttons1602 or sliders1604, such as on aremote control118. This may be especially the case for users of anadjustable bed facility102 that are experiencing reduced motor control due to illness or advanced age.Adjacent button1602 suppression may operate by comparing signal strengths frombuttons1602 within a group ofbuttons1602 to suppress touch detections from those that have a weaker signal change than the dominant one. When enabled, theadjacent button1602 suppression may allow only oneindependent button1602, or slide control1604 function, to indicate one touch at a time. In embodiments,adjacent button1602 suppression may be enabled or disabled, either globally for allbuttons1602, or for a subset ofbuttons1602, leavingother buttons1602 to be used in combination.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may provide for proximity sensing, such that a user may execute a function by bringing their hand close to theremote control118. For instance, theremote control118 may change power modes as a result of a user moving their hand in close proximity to theremote control118, such as from a low power mode to a fully active mode. This proximity effect may be implemented through use of a capacitively coupled sensor, utilizing a large electrode within theremote control118, where the change in capacitance due to the close proximity of the user's hand is sufficient to activate the sensor, and thereby executing the function. In embodiments, the function activated may be any function under remote control, as well as functions such as power modes. Power modes may include a plurality of modes, such as a free-run mode, a low power mode, a sleep mode, and the like. The power mode may be activated either manually, for instance via somebutton control1602, or automatically, but such activation indicators as the proximity sensor, a timer function, light source presence, and the like.
• In an embodiment, a motion sensor may be provided, either associated directly with theadjustable bed facility102, on the remote control, or in the environment, such that any movement in the bed may be detected. For example, if a child is sleeping and gets up due to hunger, distress or the like and leaves theadjustable bed102, the motion sensor may be activated and may signal an alarm indicating the child is awake. In a similar manner, the remote control may provide a sound sensor, such that any noise made in the room may be detected. For example, a child crying, any intruder in the room, any abnormal disturbances like earthquake and the like, may activate the sound sensor. The sound sensor may transmit the signals and an alarm may ring indicating additional noise or disturbance in the room. More generally, any of the types of sensors described herein, such as motion sensors, sound sensors, weight sensors, chemical sensors, smoke detectors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or the like may be used to sense a condition of the environment associated with the adjustable furniture facility or a user of the control facility to sense a condition or determine a state or event that may, under control of the control facilities for the adjustable furniture facility, be used to trigger actuation of a component of the adjustable bed facility or one or more of the other systems associated with the adjustable bed facility. The sensor may be included in a feedback loop whereby the sensor continuously updates the control facilities as components or systems are controlled to arrive at an optimal control state for the adjustable furniture facility or for another system associated with the adjustable furniture facility. In addition, the control facilities may obtain information about the state of a user, a state of the adjustable furniture facility, or the state of another system associated with the adjustable furniture facility through a computer or information technology facility, such as by network communication of state information from the adjustable furniture facility or another system. The state information may be used to control or actuate a component of the adjustable furniture facility or of another system associated with the adjustable furniture facility. In embodiments, state information may be integrated at the control facility using a data integration facility. In embodiments state information may be obtained at the control facility by pinging or pulling information from other systems, or by having state information pushed to the control facility by the other systems. In embodiments one or more services (such as software-based services), may be used to communicate state information between or among the control facility for the adjustable bed facility and one or more other systems, such as in a services-oriented software architecture. Devices may thus communicate their state information to the control facility for theadjustable bed facility102, such as state information about on/off condition, operational levels such as volume control, temperature control, and the like, state information about users, state information about the environment, state information about content (such as information about music, video, television, computer gaming or other content), state information about safety, and any other state, condition or attribute described throughout this disclosure. State information, whether obtained from sensors or by communication among devices, may be used to determine an event or attribute that can in turn trigger actuation of control; thus, the control system for the adjustable furniture facility may actuate a wide range of actions, on the adjustable furniture facility or on another system associated with it, based on state information. Examples include actuating an alert in response to a safety condition (such as crying child, a child out of bed, stillness of an elderly patient, or the like), adjusting entertainment content in response to a state (turning off the system or turning down volume upon detecting snoring, turning down the lights on detecting sleep, selecting preferred content upon detecting presence of a particular user), adjusting comfort-based factors based on state detection (adjusting position, vibration, temperature, volume, content or the like based on detection of user's presence; adjusting some component based on time of day), and many others.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may provide for reduced susceptibility to RF noise, possibly due to the electro-magnetic environment theadjustable bed facility102 is exposed to. For example, the remote control may provide RF transmissions that operate in a burst mode, where bursts are transmitted utilizing spread-spectrum techniques. Such a technique may provide transmission over a spread of frequencies, so that external fields may have a reduced effect on the operation of theremote control118.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may provide for a data and power cable interface to provide recharging and data exchange capabilities with theremote control118. The data portion of the cable interface may interface with a computing facility, such as personal computer, mobile computing device, PDA, mobile phone, anotherremote control118, a troubleshooting facility, and the like. The power portion of the cable interface may provide for the recharging of the remote control's118 batteries, and in embodiments, may be similar to that of a cell phone charging cable. In embodiments, the data and power interface may utilize a standard data and power interface, such as USB and the like. In embodiments, at least one of theremote control118 and data and power cable interface may have indicator lights, such as for charging status, charging on, charging complete, low battery, critical battery, data transfer status, data transfer on-going, data transfer complete, and the like. In embodiments, indicator status may also be displayed, such as on the remote control's118 LCD display. In embodiments, the data and power cable may be implemented in a plurality of configurations, such as data and power in a single cable, data in one cable and power in a second cable, common cable connectors for data and power, separate cable connectors for data and power, commonremote control118 interface connectors for data and power, separate connectors for data and power, and the like. In addition, the power portion of the data and power cable may be shielded to avoid interference from coupling into the data lines of the data portion of the data and power cable interface. In embodiments, the connection between theremote control118 may or may not be associated with a cradle for holding theremote control118 during recharging and/or data exchange. In embodiments, the remote control's118 data and power cable may make it more convenient to plug theremote control118 into a power outlet for charging by not requiring theremote control118 to be inserted into a cradle.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may provide the data interface to enable internet browsing and program processing capabilities within theremote control118. The data interface may interface with a computing facility, such as personal computer, mobile computing device, PDA, mobile phone, and the like. The data interface may provide access to programs such as calculator, word processor, image processor, internet browsers, and the like. In embodiments, the program status and content accessed may be displayed, such as on the remote control's118 LCD display. The status and the content of the program may include the network connection status, internet usage time, available updates over the network, and the like. In embodiments, the data interface may be implemented in a plurality of configurations, such as data cable, wireless communication, and the like. In an embodiment, the data cable may include the standard data interface, the USB, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless technology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like.
• In embodiments, the data interface portion of the cable interface may enable data exchange between theremote control118 and the computing facility such as for a programming theremote control118, a full reprogramming of theremote control118, a partial reprogramming of theremote control118, the reprogramming of an individual function in theremote control118, trouble shooting theremote control118, an exchange of information between theremote control118 and the computing facility, the downloading of the contents of theremote control118 onto the computing facility, the downloading of the remote control's118 programming to the computing facility, the transferring of user preferences to or from the computing facility including to another bed'sremote control118, the upgrading of new features to theremote control118, download the usage history of theremote control118, and the like. In embodiments, the data interface portion of the data interface may provide for a programming interface to setup or change the functions of theremote control118, such as to reassign abutton2002 function, reassign a slider control2004 function, provide new sequences available for slider control2004, provide changes to power mode settings, change power up default settings, and the like.
• An aspect of the present invention relates to error reporting through a two-way remote control system associated with an adjustable bed. The two-way communications protocols may allow for a hand held remote control (as describe herein) to communicate commands to an adjustable bed (as described herein) to control the adjustable bed. The bed may communicate back to the hand held remote control information relating to the functioning of the bed. The controller of the bed may, for example, communicate errors to the remote control to facilitate maintenance and repair of the adjustable bed systems. The error reporting may be provided through codes such that a technician can understand them (i.e. with reference to a manual) or the reporting may involve presenting language based error reports for easier diagnosis. In embodiments, the error reporting is presented on a display screen on the hand held remote control unit.
• In embodiments, theremote control118 may provide for error reporting, such as to identify failures or errors within theadjustable bed facility102, including within theremote control118 itself. Reported Errors may be characterized as fatal errors, such as when some function within theadjustable bed facility102 no longer working (e.g. a motor failure, controller failure, sensor failure, etc.). Reported errors may be characterized as; non-fatal errors, such as some function within theadjustable bed facility102 not performing within required limits (e.g., diagnostic information used in assessing the health of theadjustable bed facility102, such as how well a hall sensor is working, how much current the motors are drawing, etc.); and the like. Information associated with error reporting may be sent to theremote control118 upon various events. For example, the systems may be arranged such that error reporting is done on an on-demand basis. That is, a user may activate an error reporting mode by either interacting with a user interface on the bed or on the remote. Once placed in error reporting mode, errors may be communicated to the remote. Once the error information is communicated to the remote, information relating to the error(s) may be displayed on the remote. In other embodiments, errors may be sent when as they occur. The systems may be placed in a mode where errors (either fatal or non-fatal or both) may be communicated to the remote on an on-going or periodic basis. In yet other embodiments, the systems may be arranged where information relating to the errors may be sent in an on-going basis and in an on-demand mode. or may be sent in some combination of on-demand and as errors occur. For example, fatal errors may be reported to theremote control118 automatically as errors occur, but other non-fatal errors or diagnostic information may be delivered on-demand as they are requested.
• In embodiments, fatal errors may include error messages associated with a motor that stops working, a controller communication failure, aremote control118 communication failure, apower supply152 that stops working, critical software errors, printed circuit board hardware errors, a blown MOSFET, a shorted regulator, and the like. In embodiments, non-fatal errors may include error messages associated with apower supply152 that may be sourcing too much current, intermittent two-way RF communication, intermittent hall sensor reception, too much heat near or around the printed circuit board, general software errors, motors that may be drawing too much current, motors that may have been used excessively, beyond their duty cycle limits, and the like. In addition, non-fatal error or diagnostic information reporting may include general usage history information that may be useful in investigating the cause of problems, such as recalling the last ten or twenty actions of theadjustable bed facility102, fatal error information reporting that may include use history that may help determine the cause of the fatal error, and the like.
• In embodiments, theadjustable bed facility102 may provide a steady stream of measurement data, such as in telemetry stream of engineering diagnostic information, to theremote control118 or to a central information gathering facility to be used in the diagnosis of errors. In embodiments, information associated with error reporting may be stored for later retrieval, either within the adjustable bed facility or external to the adjustable bed, such as in theremote control118 or associated with the central information gathering facility.
• FIG. 17A depicts a remote control1702 (e.g. remote control118) to control aframe position1724 of an adjustable bed1720 (e.g. as described herein) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Theremote control1702 is shown to have a front face of a hand-held housing1704. The hand held housing1704 of the remote control may include a touch sensor1708 (e.g. touch sensors as described in connection withuser input devices1602 and1604), aprocessor1712, atransmitter1714 and a plurality of buttons and/or switches1718. In embodiments, thetouch sensor1708 may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting theframe position1724 of the adjustable bed1720. Thetouch sensor1708 may be presented in a slider form. In embodiments, the slider may be in the form of a dial, a linear strip, a curvilinear strip, a curve, or some other similar shape. In embodiments, the touch sensor1108 may be a capacitive touch sensor.
• Thetouch sensor1708 described herein may be constructed using a touch screen technology such as a capacitive touch screen, resistive touch screen, surface acoustic wave touch screen, strain gauge touch screen, optical imaging touch screen, dispersive signal technology touch screen, acoustic pulse recognition touch screen, or other touch sensor technology. Thetouch sensor1708 described herein may be presented on the remote control in a variety of shapes and sizes, including, but not limited to: square, rectangular, linear, curvilinear, circular, round, etc. The shapes may be a pattern using a combination of shapes, such as an “X”, “Y”, “T”, etc. The slider form of the touch sensor may facilitate changing a parameter of the bed or auxiliary equipment when a user slides, taps, touches, or otherwise interacts with the touch sensor.
• In an exemplary scenario, a user of the adjustable bed1720 may like to change theframe position1724 of the adjustable bed1720. The user may like to adjust the frame position from time to time to feel comfortable. In this case, the user may use thetouch sensor1708 of theremote control1702 to adjust theframe position1724 to a new frame position.
• Thetouch sensor1708 may be coupled with theprocessor1712 and thetransmitter1714. Thetransmitter1714 may receive inputs from thetouch sensor1708 via the processor1710. The inputs may correspond to the interaction of the user with thetouch sensor1708. In embodiments, the interaction of the user with thetouch sensor1708 may generate instructions/control signals to control theframe position1724. These instructions/control signals may be processed in theprocessor1712. Theprocessor1712 may encrypt these instructions and provide to thetransmitter1714. The processor may also, or instead, address the instructions to be communicated to the bed such that only a bed associated with the address responds to the information. Thetransmitter1714 may communicate these instructions/control signals to acontrol box1722 of the adjustable bed1720 and a controller in the control box may then control the adjustable parameter(s) of the bed in response to the received instructions.
• In an embodiment, thetransmitter1714 may transmit the control signal/instructions wirelessly. The wireless communication may be by radio frequency (RF), UFH, HF, infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In embodiments, thecontrol box1722 may have an antenna to receive the control signals from thetransmitter1714. In an embodiment, the wireless technology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like.
• On receiving the instructions/control signals, thecontrol box1722 may adjust theframe position1724 of the adjustable bed1720. For example, the user may like to tilt the various sub frames of the adjustable bed1720 to sleep. The control box of the adjustable bed1120 may tilt the position of the sub frames of the adjustable bed1720. In embodiments, the adjustable bed1720 may have a skeleton structure that may include more than one section/frame. The sections/frames may be fixed or may be adjustable/movable. Further, the sections/frames may be assembled together in such a way that the sections/frames may be able to move relative to each other to provide the various bed positions required by the user. To achieve this, the sections/frames may be connected together using hinges or like devices that allow a freedom of motion between them. Theses hinges/connections may be controlled by a Programmable Logic Circuit installed in thecontrol box1722.
• In embodiments, thecontroller150 may include a microcomputer, a microprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, IO connection to components, or the like. Thecontroller150 may provide an interface to permit software application updates to thecontroller150 memory; thecontroller150 memory may be over written. In other embodiments, the bed controller may be another form of controller, such as a set of specifically designed circuits designed to operate the adjustable bed1720.
• In another example, thecontrol box1722 may adjust theframe position1724 in a configuration where only the head section may be adjusted to provide the user an elevated upper body position.
• One skilled in the art may understand that there may be many different adjustable bed1720 frame positions, which the user may change based on his requirements. It should be noted that theremote control1702 may be shown to adjust the adjustable bed1720, but those skilled in the art may appreciate that the remote control may control the parameters associated with adjustable chairs, adjustable couches, and the like to provide comfortable positions when the user may have limited mobility. For example, a user with hip replacement surgery may not be confined to the bed but may require a chair or couch to be adjustable to provide a comfortable sitting position while providing control of other devices within the room to limit the number of times the user must get up and adjust the devices. In an embodiment, while recovering from a surgery, an injury, an illness, or the like, the user may use more than one type of rest facility. The user may require confinement to an adjustable bed for a time and then, with health improvement, be able to move to either an adjustable chair or adjustable couch.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 17B, the user may interact with thetouch sensor1708 to adjust the settings of amassage motor1728 of the adjustable bed1720. For example, the user may like to adjust the frequency, intensity, or other parameter of themassage motor1728. The user may interact with thetouch sensor1708 and may provide the instructions to increase/decrease the frequency of themassage motor1728. As described in the description forFIG. 17A, thetouch sensor1708 may provide the instructions to thetransmitter1714 through theprocessor1712. Thetransmitter1714 may communicate the instructions to thecontrol box1722 to change the frequency of themassage motor1728.
• In an embodiment, there may be at least onemassage motor1728 that may provide vibration and massage functions to the adjustable bed1720. In an embodiment, there may be more than one massage motors in the adjustable bed1720. In this embodiment, using theremote control1702, the user may be able to control the vibration mode of the multiple massage motors; the mode may include the vibration setting for a particular bed section, the vibration frequency of at least one of the massage motors, stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibration motors, or the like. In an embodiment, the multiple massage motors may be operated independently or in combination. In an embodiment, the vibration and massage functions may function as a gentle-wake alarm, being activated in response to an alarm clock signal, which may be generated by the electronic facility140 (e.g., by an alarm clock running in thecontroller150 or the like) or may be received as a signal from an external source (e.g., from theremote control118 or the like), and so on.
• FIG. 17C depicts aremote control1702 to control a plurality ofparameters1730 of an adjustable bed1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The plurality ofparameters1730 may include the parameters associated with the actuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors, supports, safety brackets, or any other parameter associated with any other facility of the adjustable bed1720. For example, the user may wish to control the frame position as well as the air pressure/firmness of the mattress of the adjustable bed1720. Firstly, the user may set thetouch sensor1708 of theremote control1702 for the mattress parameters by using a button of the plurality ofbuttons1718. Once the touch sensor has been set for the mattress parameters, the user may interact with thetouch sensor1708 to generate the control signals to adjust the mattress parameters. After that, the user may switch the mode of thetouch sensor1708 of theremote control1702 for the frame control parameters. Accordingly, the user may interact with thetouch sensor1708 to generate the control signals to adjust theframe position1724.
• FIG. 18A depicts a remote control1802 (e.g. remote control118) for controlling an adjustable bed1820 and an audiovisual system1824 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 18A, reference will be made toFIG. 17, although it is understood that theremote control1802 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theremote control1802 may have more or less system elements.
• As shown, a hand held housing1804 of theremote control1802 may have afirst touch sensor1808, asecond touch sensor1810, aprocessor1812, and atransmitter1814. Thefirst touch sensor1808 and thesecond touch sensor1810 may be presented in a slider form. In embodiments, the slider may be in the form of a dial, a linear strip, a curvilinear strip, a curve, or some other similar shape. In embodiments, thefirst touch sensor1808 and thesecond touch sensor1810 may be a capacitive touch sensor.
• In an exemplary scenario, the user may like to sleep and want to do so while watching TV. He may like to change the frame position and may like to switch-off an audiovisual system1824 present in the room. The user may use thefirst touch sensor1808 and may provide the input to theprocessor1812 by sliding thefirst touch sensor1808 for changing a parameter of the plurality ofparameters1830. The plurality ofparameters1830 may include the parameters associated with the actuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors, supports, safety brackets, or any other parameter associated with any other facility of the adjustable bed1820.
• As explained in the description forFIG. 17A, thetransmitter1814 may communicate the control signals to thecontrol box1822 of the adjustable bed1820. Thecontrol box1822 may adjust the parameter associated with the adjustable bed1820. Similarly, the user may interact with thesecond touch sensor1810 to control the audio-visual system1824 present in the room. Thetransmitter1814 of theremote control1802 may communicate the control signals pertaining to thesecond touch sensor1810 to the audio visual system. In the example, the user may provide the input by using thesecond touch sensor1810 to lower the volume of the audio-visual system1824. In an alternate embodiment, the control signals for the audio-visual system1822, or other secondary system as described herein, may be sent to the onbed control box1822 and thecontrol box1822 may then send the control signals to the audio-visual system1832, or other secondary system.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 18B, the second touch sensor may1810 may provide the input to control anaudio system1830 present in the room. For example, in addition to changing a parameter associated with the adjustable bed1820, the user may like to change the volume or channel of theaudio system1832 present in the room. Thetransmitter1814 may also transmit the control signals pertaining to thesecond touch sensor1810 to control theaudio system1832.
• Similarly, the second touch sensor may1810 may provide the input to control acomputer facility1834,HVAC system1838, akitchen appliance1840, a vehicle system (e.g. a remote starter for the vehicle)1842, analarm system1844, or other secondary or auxiliary system as shown inFIG. 18C,FIG. 18D,FIG. 18E,FIG. 18F,FIG. 18G respectively.
• In embodiments,second touch sensor1810 may provide an interface for temperature sensing, such that the room temperature may be displayed on the remote control at a user's request. Also, the user may be intimated of, for example, the current room temperature, increase/decrease in the room temperature, and the like. Thesecond touch sensor1810 may provide the rate of rise/drop in the temperature of the surroundings. For example, in case of an emergency such as a fire, the increased room temperature may be detected enabling the user to take the necessary security measures. Also, in case of extremely low room temperatures, for example, during winters, the sensor may detect the decrease in the temperature of the surroundings. On such an indication, the user may switch on a heating device for maintaining the normal room temperature. Thetransmitter1814 may transmit the control signals pertaining to thesecond touch sensor1810 to control the zoned climate control system164 or a heating device. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the temperature sensing may have more or less system elements.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 18H, thefirst touch sensor1808 may provide the control signals to control afirst parameter1844 of the adjustable bed1820. In addition, thesecond touch sensor1810 may provide the control signals to control asecond parameter1824 of the adjustable bed1820. Thefirst parameter1844 and thesecond parameter1848 is shown to be massage motor and the frame position respectively, however those skilled in the art would appreciate that the first and the second parameter may be associated with the actuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors, supports, safety brackets, or any other facility of the adjustable bed1820.
• FIG. 19 depicts a remote control1902 (e.g. remote control118) for controlling the parameters of an adjustable bed1924 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 19, reference will be made toFIG. 17 andFIG. 18, although it is understood that theremote control1902 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theremote control1902 may have more or less system elements.
• As shown, a hand held housing1904 of theremote control1902 may have atouch screen1908, aprocessor1910, and a transmitter1912. Thetouch screen1908 may enable the viewing of a plurality of images. Each of the plurality of images may be a representative of a different function associated with an adjustable bed1924. As shown in theFIG. 19, theimage1928 may represent the function corresponding to the frame position. Similarly, theimage1930 may represent the function correspond to the massage motor. Thetouch screen1908 may be shown to have theimage1928 andimage1930; however those skilled in the art may appreciate that thetouch screen1908 may have multiple images. Each image may be representative of a different function associated with the adjustable bed1924. Each of the plurality of images may be coded to generate a control signal in response to an interaction with the image. For example, a user may touch theimage1928 to adjust the frame position of the adjustable bed1924. On touching theimage1928, a control signal may be generated to control the frame position. The control signals may be processed with in aprocessor1910 and then sent to thecontrol box1918 of the adjustable bed1924 by the transmitter of theremote control1902.
• In an embodiment, an array of vibratory motors may be mounted on the bed frame, in the mattress or otherwise located to impart massage action onto the mattress. The array of vibratory motors may include two or more, and maybe many more, vibratory motors. The array may be controlled as a singular unit, as individual units, as groups and/or sub groups of units or otherwise. In an embodiment, the remote control may display a graphical image of the array to allow a user to set parameters associated with the array. The user may be able to interact with the remote (e.g. through an interactive image on the remote) to control the array as a singular unit, as individual units, as groups and/or sub groups of units or otherwise.
• Thecontrol box1918 may adjust the parameters associated with theimage1928 based on the received control signals. In the example, the parameters corresponding to the frame position may be adjusted. Similarly, theimage1930 may represent a function of the adjustable bed1924. For example, it may represent the settings for the massage motor. The user may touch theimage1930 by using his finger tip1932. The control signals corresponding to theimage1930 may be generated and transmitted to thecontrol box1918 of the adjustable bed1924. In the example, the parameters associated with the massage motor may be adjusted.
• In embodiments, at least one of the images may be adapted to produce an additional control signal when touched for a predetermined period of time. For example, theimage1928, when touched for a predefined time, say five seconds, may produce an additional control signal. This additional control signal may change a parameter associated with the adjustable bed1924. In embodiments, the predefined period of time may be set by the user of theremote control1902. In embodiments, the predefined period of time may be set by the manufacturer of theremote control1902.
• In embodiments, the touch screen1904 may include a facility to display anauxiliary image1934. Theauxiliary image1934 may correspond to anauxiliary system1938. Examples of theauxiliary system1938 may include but may not be limited to an audio system, computer system, security system, home security system, HVAC system, kitchen appliance, alarm system, vehicle system (e.g. remote starter for the vehicle), medical device unit etc. When a user touches theauxiliary image1934, control signal may be generated to control the parameters of the respective auxiliary system. For example, theauxiliary image1934 may be the image of the audio-visual system. The user may touch the image corresponding to the audio-visual system on thetouch screen1908 to control the volume of the audio-visual system. The control signals may be generated and transmitted by the transmitter1912 to the audio visual system.
• In one exemplary scenario, theauxiliary image1934 may be the image of the blood pressure system. The user may touch the images corresponding to the blood pressure system on thetouch screen1908 to measure the blood pressure. The signals may be generated and transmitted by the transmitter1912 to the blood pressure meter. The blood pressure may be activated to measure the blood pressure and heart rate of the user. The user may also activate and monitor its health conditions using a plurality of medical devices, for example, Electrocardiogram, glucose meter, pulse oximeter, and the like.
• The images may act as portals to other pages where further related control parameters are offered. For example, the user may be presented with an icon representing an adjustable bed. Once the user interacts with the icon on the touch screen, or through a soft or hard style button, a new page of information may be presented to the user for further selection/interaction.
• FIG. 20A depicts a remote control2002 (e.g. remote control118) for controlling the parameters of anadjustable bed2024 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 20, reference will be made toFIG. 17,FIG. 18, andFIG. 19 although it is understood that theremote control2002 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theremote control2002 may have more or less system elements.
• As shown, a hand held housing2004 of theremote control2002 may have auser interface2008. Theuser interface2008 may include a touch screen2010, a plurality ofbuttons2012. Theuser interface2008 may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter2024 of an adjustable bed2020. Theparameter2024 may be one of the pluralities ofparameters1730. The instructions corresponding to theparameter2024 may be provided by the user through the user interface2010. These instructions may be sent to theprocessor2014. On processing these instructions, control signals may be generated by atransceiver2018. In embodiments, thetransceiver2018 may operate a BLUETOOTH protocol. In embodiments, the transceiver may be an RF transceiver.
• These signals may be transmitted to acontrol box2022 of the adjustable bed2020. Once theparameter2024 has been adjusted, the value of the adjustedparameter2024 may be sent to thetransceiver2018 of theremote control2002. In embodiments, the adjusted parameter1924 may be transmitted to the user interface2010.
• In embodiments, the parameter may be aframe position2028. As shown inFIG. 20B, theframe position2028 may be adjusted by using the user interface2010. For example, the user may like to tilt the frame of the adjustable bed2020 to feel comfortable. The angle through which its frame can be tilted may be present on the user interface2010. The user may select the angle to tilt the frame of theadjustable bed2024 by using thetouch screen2008. Thenew frame position2028 may be sent to thetransceiver2018. In the example, the frame of the adjustable bed2020 may be tilted to 150 degrees from 100 degrees. Once theframe position2028 may be adjusted, the data indicative of the adjustedframe position2028 may be communicated to thetransceiver2018 by thecontrol box2022. In the example, a data indicating that theframe position2028 is adjusted to 150 degrees may be transmitted to thetransceiver2018. In embodiments, the adjustedframe position2028 may be provided to the user interface2010 by thetransceiver2018.
• In embodiments, the parameter may be associated with amassage motor2030. As shown inFIG. 20C, the settings of themassage motor2030 may be adjusted by using theuser interface2008. The new massage motor settings may be sent to thetransceiver2018. For example, the user may like to increase the frequency of the massage. The user may adjust the speed of the massage by the user interface2010. Thetransceiver2018 may collect the instructions from the user interface2010 and may communicate to thecontrol box2022. Thecontrol box2022 may increase the frequency of themassage motor2030. The new frequency of themassage motor2030 may be provided to thetransceiver2018. In embodiments, the new frequency of themassage motor2030 may be provided to theuser interface2008 by thetransceiver2018.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20D, the control signals may be transmitted by atransmitter2028 to adjust a parameter. For example, the user may provide the instructions to control aparameter2024 using theuser interface2008. Theuser interface2008 may provide the instructions to atransmitter2032 of theremote control2002. Thetransmitter2032 may provide the instructions to thecontrol box2022. Thecontrol box2022 may adjust theparameter2024 and provide the adjustedparameter2024 to thereceiver2034 of the adjustable bed2020. In embodiments, thetransmitter2032 and thereceiver2034 may operate at different frequencies. For example, thetransmitter2032 may operate at 2.4 gigahertz and thereceiver2034 may operate at 433.92 gigahertz. In embodiments, the use of different frequencies between transmitting and receiving may be used to avoid signal interference.
• Certain embodiments have been depicted as having a transceiver and others as having a transmitter and receiver pair. It should be understood that in certain embodiments, the transceiver may represent multiple components and/or systems and in other embodiments it represents a consolidated set of components and/or systems. If should further be understood that in certain embodiments, the transmitter and receiver pairs may represent separate components and/or systems and in other embodiments they represent a consolidated set of components and/or systems.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20E, the control signals may be transmitted by thetransceiver2018 to adjust theframe position2028. In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20E, the control signals may be transmitted by thetransmitter2032 to adjust theframe position2028. In addition, the data indicative of a receipt of the adjustedframe position2028 from theadjustable bed2024 may be received by thereceiver2034. In the example, the data indicating that the frame has been tilted to 150 degrees may be provided to thereceiver2034. In embodiment, the adjusted parameter pertaining to theframe position2028 may be provided to thereceiver2034.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20F, the control signals may be transmitted by thetransceiver2018 to adjust the settings of themassage motor2030. In addition, the data indicative of a receipt of the adjusted setting of themassage motor2030 from theadjustable bed2024 may be received by thereceiver2034.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20G, anerror data2032 may be transmitted to thetransceiver2032. For example, the user may have liked to tilt the frame to 70 degrees from 45 degrees. However, thecontrol box2022 may have adjusted it to 148 degrees due to frame position limitation. In this scenario, anerror data2038 showing that the frame may have been adjusted to 65 degrees instead of 70 degrees may be communicated to thetransceiver2018. In embodiments, thiserror data2038 may be transmitted to theuser interface2008. In embodiments, theerror data2038 may indicate the failure of thecontrol box2022 to adjust the parameters.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20H, in addition to the control signs to adjust aparameter2024, thetransceiver2018 may send the diagnostic signals to thecontrol box2022. The diagnostic signals may cause the adjustable bed to switch to a diagnostic mode. Adiagnostic data2034 may also be transmitted to thetransceiver2018.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20I, anew position indication2044 of theadjustable bed2024 may be transmitted to thetransceiver2018. Accordingly, thetransceiver2018 may provide thenew position indication2044 to the user interface2010. Thenew position indication2040 may be indicated digitally. For example, the 150 degree angle at which the frame may be tilted is communicated to thetransceiver2018 by thecontrol box2022. In embodiments, theframe position2028 may be calibrated. For example,frame position2028 from angle 90 degree to 120 degree may be referred as first frame position. Similarly, theframe position2028 fromangle 120 degree to 150 degree may be referred as second frame position. This first frame position or the second frame position may be provided to thetransceiver2018. In embodiments, the data indicating that the parameter has been adjusted may be provided to thetransceiver2018. Thenew position indication2044 may be displayed on the user interface2010. In embodiments, a number corresponding to theframe position2028 may be displayed. Although, thenew position indication2044 is explained by theframe position2028, the new position indication may represent a new setting of themassage motor2030 or any other parameter.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20J,graphical information2048 of the adjustedparameter2024 may be provided by the adjustable bed2020 to thetransceiver2018. Thegraphical information2048 may indicate the new setting of the adjustable bed2020. For example, thegraphical information2048 of theframe position2028 may be provided to thetransceiver2018. For example, if the upper portion of the bed frame is readjusted to forty five degrees from horizontal, a graphical image depicting the angle may be presented on thescreen2008. Accordingly, thetransceiver2018 may provide thegraphical information2048 to the user interface2010.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20K,graphical representation2050 of the adjustable bed parameter may be provided by the adjustable bed2020 to thetransceiver2018. Accordingly, thegraphical representation2050 may be provided to the user interface2010. In embodiments, thegraphical representation2050 of the adjustable bed parameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated by the adjustable bed2020. For example, a graphical representation of the adjustedframe position2028 may be provided to the user interface2010. In embodiments, a graphical representation of the adjustedframe position2028 may be provided to thereceiver2034 of theremote control2002.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 20L, in addition to thegraphical representation2050 of the adjustable bed parameter,graphical representation2052 of the parameter associated with theauxiliary system2054 may be provided to the user interface2010. For example, a graphical representation of the adjusted parameters associated with theauxiliary system2054 may be provided to the user interface2010. Examples of theauxiliary system2054 may include but are not limited to an audio system, a computer system, an HVAC system, a kitchen appliance, an alarm system, and a vehicle system. In embodiments, a graphical representation of the adjusted parameters of theauxiliary system2054 may be provided to thereceiver2034 of theremote control2002.
• In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 21A, the user interface may be a touch screen user interface2102. The user may interact with the touch screen user interface2102. The instructions from the user may be provided to thecontrol box2022 by thetransceiver2018. Thecontrol box2022 may communicate thegraphical information2048 of the adjusted parameters associated with the adjustable bed2020 to thetransceiver2018. In embodiments, as shown inFIG. 21B, thecontrol box2022 may communicate thegraphical information2048 of the adjusted parameter associated with the adjustable bed2020 to thereceiver2034. Thetransceiver2018 may provide thegraphical information2048 to the touch screen user interface2102. Now, the user may interact with thegraphical information2048 on the touch screen user interface2102 to adjust theparameter2024. For example, the graphical information corresponding to theframe position2028 may be provided to the touch screen user interface2102. The user may interact with the graphical information corresponding to theframe position2028 and may increase the angles between the frames.
• FIG. 22 depicts aflow chart2200 for changing an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 22, reference will be made toFIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20, andFIG. 21, although it may be understood that the method for changing an adjustable parameter can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theflow chart2200 may have more or less number of steps.
• Atstep2202, a control signal to change an adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720 may be sent to the adjustable bed1720 by theremote control1702. As explained in the descriptions forFIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20, andFIG. 21, the control signal may be generated by the user interaction with thetouch sensor1708, a user interface2010, a touch screen user interface2102, or any other similar facility. The adjustable parameter may include the parameter associated with the actuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors, supports, safety brackets, or any other parameter associated with any other facility of the adjustable bed1720. In embodiments, the control signal may be provided to thecontrol box1722 by thetransmitter1714,transceiver2018, or any other similar facility of theremote control1702. For example, a control signal may be sent indicating change in the angle of the frame of the adjustable bed1720 from 120 degrees to 150 degrees. Atstep2204, the adjustable bed1720 may change the adjustable parameter in accordance with the control signal. For example, the frame of the adjustable bed1720 may be adjusted to 150 degrees. Atstep2208, the adjustable bed1720 may send data that may indicate a new setting of the changed adjustable parameter. For example, the information that the frame of the adjustable bed1720 has been tilted to 150 degrees may be relayed. Atstep2210, a number indicative of the data may be displayed on theremote control1702. For example, the frame angle (150 degrees) may be displayed on the user interface2010, a touch screen user interface2102, or any other facility of theremote control1702.
• FIG. 23 depicts aflow chart2300 for displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 23, reference will be made toFIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 21, andFIG. 22 although it is understood that the method for displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theflow chart2300 may have more or less number of steps.
• Atstep2302, a control signal to change an adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720 may be sent through theremote control1702. As the descriptions for FIG.17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20, andFIG. 21 indicate, the control signal may be generated by the user interaction with thetouch sensor1708, a user interface2010, a touch screen user interface2102, or any other similar facility. For example, a control signal for changing the 120 degree angle of the frame of the adjustable bed1720 to a 150 degree angle may be sent. Atstep2304, the information indicating that the parameter associated with the adjustable bed1720 may be received by theremote control1702 from the adjustable bed1720. For example, the information that the frame of the adjustable bed1720 has been tilted to 150 degrees may be received by theremote control1702. Atstep2308, a graphical representation of the adjusted parameter may be displayed on theremote control1702. For example, as shown inFIG. 20L, the various angles associated with the frame and the current angle of the frame of the adjustable bed1720 may be displayed on thetouch screen2008 of the user interface2010. In embodiments, the user may interact with the graphical representation to change an adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720.
• FIG. 24 depicts aflow chart2400 for displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 24, reference will be made toFIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 21,FIG. 22, andFIG. 23, although it is understood that the method for displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theflow chart2400 may have more or less number of steps.
• Atstep2402, a control signal to change an adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720 may be sent at a first frequency by theremote control1702. For example, a control signal for changing the angle of the frame of the adjustable bed1720 from 120 degrees to 150 degrees may be sent at 18.83 gigahertz frequency. Atstep2404, the information indicating that the parameter associated with the adjustable bed1720 may be received at a second frequency by theremote control1702 from the adjustable bed1720. For example, the information that the frame of the adjustable bed1720 has been tilted to 150 degrees may be received at 4.46 gigahertz frequency. In embodiments, the first and the second frequency may be different. Atstep2408, a graphical representation of the adjusted parameter may be displayed on theremote control1702. For example, as shown inFIG. 20L, the various angles associated with the frame and the current angle of the frame of the adjustable bed1720 may be displayed on thetouch screen2008 of the user interface2010.
• FIG. 25 depicts aflow chart2500 for adjusting an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 25, reference will be made toFIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 21,FIG. 22,FIG. 23, andFIG. 24, although it is understood that the method for adjusting an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theflow chart2500 may have more or less steps.
• Atstep2502, an interactive graphical representation illustrative of an adjustable parameter of an adjustable bed1720 may be presented on theremote control2002. For example, a graphical icon, illustrating the various angles by which a frame of an adjustable bed1720 may be tilted, may be presented on the touch screen user interface2102. The user may manipulate the graphical representation to adjust the parameter of theadjustable bed2024 atstep2504. For example, the user may click and select an angle of 150 degrees on the interactive graphical representation of the frame position present on the touch screen user interface2102. A control signal may be sent atstep2508 by theremote control1702 to adjust the adjustable parameter based on the user manipulation atstep2504. For example, the control signals having the instructions to change the frame angle to 150 degree may be sent to the adjustable bed1720 by theremote control1702. Atstep2510, the adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720 may be changed. For example, the frame angle of the adjustable bed1720 may be changed to 150 degrees.
• FIG. 25 depicts aflow chart2500 for adjusting an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describeFIG. 25, reference will be made toFIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20,FIG. 21,FIG. 22,FIG. 23, andFIG. 24, although it is understood that the method for adjusting an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed1720 can be practiced in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theflow chart2500 may have more or less steps.
• Atstep2602, an interactive graphical representation illustrative of an adjustable parameter of an adjustable bed1720 and an adjustable parameter of theauxiliary system2052 may be presented on theremote control1702. For example, a graphical icon, illustrating the various angles by which a frame of an adjustable bed1720 may be tilted, may be presented on the touch screen user interface2102. In addition, a graphical representation of the various values of the volume of a TV may be presented on the touch screen user interface2102. The user may manipulate the graphical representation to adjust the parameter of theadjustable bed2024 atstep2604. For example, the user may click and select a 150-degree angle on the interactive graphical representation of the frame position present on the touch screen user interface2102. In addition, the user may select a TV volume value from the graphical representation of theauxiliary system2052 atstep2608. Atstep2610, a control signal may be sent to theauxiliary system2052 and to the adjustable bed1720. The control signal may be sent by theremote control1702 to adjust the adjustable parameter based on the user manipulation atstep2604 and atstep2608. For example, the control signals having the instructions to change the frame angle to 150 degrees may be sent to the adjustable bed1720 by theremote control1702. In addition, the control signal to lower the volume of the TV may be sent to the TV. Atstep2612, the adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720 and theauxiliary system2052 may be changed. For example, the frame angle of the adjustable bed1720 may be changed to 150 degrees.
• FIG. 27 depicts aremote control2002, including apiezoelectric circuit2702 of an adjustable bed2020, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The remote control may include a handheld housing2004, a touch screen user interface2102, aprocessor2014, awireless transceiver2018, and apiezoelectric circuit2702. The touch screen user interface2102 may be provided with a plurality ofbuttons2012 andgraphical information2048. The plurality ofbuttons2012 may be utilized to adjust various operational settings and user preferences such as adjustment of bed angle, adjustment in massage motor speed, and the like. Thegraphical information2048 may indicate the new operational settings of the adjustable bed2020. For example, if an upper portion of the bed frame is adjusted to forty-five degrees from a horizontal plane, a graphical image depicting the angle may be presented on theremote control2002.
• The touch screen user interface2102 may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter2024 of the adjustable bed2020. The instructions corresponding to theparameter2024 may be provided by the user through the user interface2102. These instructions may be sent to theprocessor2014. On processing these instructions, control signals may be generated by atransceiver2018. In embodiments, thetransceiver2018 may communicate via a BLUETOOTH protocol. In embodiments, the transceiver may be an RF transceiver.
• Thepiezoelectric circuit2702 may be coupled to theremote control2002 touch-screen. Thepiezoelectric circuit2702 may be utilized to enable theremote control2002 to vibrate. Changes in electrical potential resulting from a user touching or pressing against the touch screen may cause the remote control to vibrate. Vibration may be used to indicate that certain operational settings and user preferences have been accomplished/achieved. In an exemplary case, vibration of theremote control2002 may be utilized to indicate that the required massage motor speed has been achieved by the adjustable bed2020. In another exemplary case, vibration of theremote control2002 may be utilized to indicate that the required frame position has been achieved by the adjustable bed2020. In yet another exemplary case, vibration of theremote control2002 may be utilized to indicate that the controller of the adjustable bed2020 has reached a diagnostic mode. In still another embodiment, vibration of theremote control2002 may be utilized to indicate off and on states of the timer. For example, vibration of theremote control2002 may indicate that the timer is about to go off in a predefined time. The predefined time may be ten seconds, one minute, an hour or the like. Similarly, vibration of theremote control2002 may be utilized to indicate user preferences associated with a second system. The second system is any of the devices or systems associated with the adjustable bed2020, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system, computer system, information technology system, networking system, and the like.
• In some embodiments, feedback from anaccelerometer1504 wired to the adjustable bed1510 may be sent back to theprocessor1508 for processing and relay to thepiezoelectric circuit2702. For example, theaccelerometer1504 may generate one or more signals corresponding to the deceleration in the movement of the adjustable bed1510 caused by an added significant weight. Theaccelerometer1504 may transmit these signals to theprocessor1508. Theprocessor1508 may instruct thecontroller2002 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510 and generate a vibration of theremote control2002 via thepiezoelectric circuit2702.
• Referring toFIG. 28, both theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 may include aWIFI communication module2802, aBLUETOOTH communication module2804, anANT communication module2814, or the like. TheWIFI communication modules2802 may be capable of pairing to and wirelessly communicating with each other, as may theBLUETOOTH communication modules2804 with each other and theANT communication modules2814 with each other.
• Thecommunications module144 may include a localarea network module2808 capable of operatively coupling to a local area network, providing network communications between theadjustable bed facility102 and aremote network2812. The localarea network module2808 may function as a router, gateway, proxy, or the like, providing network communications between theremote control118 and theremote network2812. Embodiments of these network communications may include wireless communications (e.g., WIFI, BLUETOOTH, ANT, etc.) between theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 and network communications (of any kind) between thecommunications module144 and theremote network2812.
• Embodiments of theremote control118 may include a smart phone or the like and thus may additionally include a cellular communications module2810 (e.g., for CDMA, GSM, or other such communications). Thecellular communications module2810 may provide a path for network communications that perhaps does not involve the adjustable bed facility102 (e.g., communication directly between theremote control118 and a cellular network, etc.). Conversely, embodiments of theremote control118 may communicate with theremote network2812 via only wireless communications to/from thecommunications module144, without utilizing thecellular communications module2810. For example, a user of theremote control118 could access resources on the remote network2812 (e.g., websites, etc.) even in environments (e.g., hospitals, etc.) where cellular communications are prohibited, unavailable, impractical, or the like.
• Referring toFIG. 29, a user initiates a pairing function of the remote control118 (step2902), for example by pressing a button, touching an icon, entering a password or other code into theremote control118, and so on. In embodiments where both theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 support at least two of WIFI, BLUETOOTH, and ANT communications, the user may select which of these communications technologies to use for performing the pairing function. Alternatively, when at least two communications technologies are available, theremote control118 may default to attempting to perform the pairing function via one communication technology first and then, if that fails, to attempting to perform the pairing function via another. For example, theremote control118 may use BLUETOOTH in the first attempt to perform the pairing function, WIFI in the second attempt, and so on.
• In any case, initiating the pairing function may include discovering, at theremote control118, whichadjustable bed facilities102 are available for pairing (e.g., there may be more than oneadjustable bed facility102 within communication range of the remote control118) and then selecting one of thoseadjustable bed facilities102 for pairing with theremote control118. In embodiments, for example, a user may be led through the steps of discovery/selection via prompts on a screen of theremote control118 and may provide relevant feedback (e.g., an indication as to whichadjustable bed facility102 to select, etc.) via inputs of theremote control118.
• Initiating the pairing function may also include establishing communications between theremote control118 and thecommunications facility144 of theadjustable bed facility102. Methods of establishing WIFI, BLUETOOTH, ANT, etc. communications between two devices are known in the art and may include entering a password or the like at theremote control118.
• Once communications are established between theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 of theadjustable bed facility102, theremote control118 may pass information about itself (e.g., phone number, MAC address, software version, user preferences stored in theremote control118, etc.) to the communications module144 (step2904), which may store them for later use.
• Later, communications between theremote control118 and thecommunications module144 may be terminated and then reestablished (step2908). In embodiments, the initial pairing and communications (seesteps2902 and2904, described above) may occur via one communication module (e.g., BLUETOOTH communication module2804) and then subsequent communications may occur via another (e.g., WIFI communication module2802). Thus, the communication modules may employ incompatible interfaces to physical transmission media (e.g., BLUETOOTH and WIFI are incompatible because they rely on different physical specifications that do not support signal and binary transmission between the two).
• Generally, communications modules are incompatible when signal and binary transmission between the modules is impossible due to a difference in the media layers (physical layer, data link layer, and network layer) of the communications modules. For example, at the physical level such differences between communications modules may manifest as dependence on different communications media (e.g., copper wire vs. optical cable vs. air); dependence on different configurations of a communications media (e.g., copper configured as 10BASE2 vs. copper configured as 100BASE-TX; air used with FSK modulation vs. air used with ASK modulation; and so on); etc. A variety of incompatible differences between media layers will be appreciated and, thus, a variety of incompatibilities between communications modules will likewise be appreciated.
• In embodiments, thecommunications module144 may use the information that it has about the remote control118 (e.g., the information it received instep2904, described above) to establish an ad hoc WIFI network between itself and theremote control118. For example, thecommunications module144 may configure itsWIFI communication module2802 to accept an ad hoc connection from a device having the MAC address of the remote control118 (i.e., theremote control118 itself). In cases where the initial pairing and communications occurred via BLUETOOTH, this may alleviate the need to ever enter a WIFI network access password or the like into theremote control118. In particular, theWIFI communications module2802 of thecommunications module144 may be configured (e.g., by way of the information about theremote control118 received via BLUETOOTH communications) to accept connections/communications from theremote control118. Alternatively, however, theWIFI communications module2802 may be configured to accept connections/communications from any WIFI-enabled device that provides the correct password.
• In embodiments, establishing communications may be as simple as transmitting a message at some time without acknowledgement of receipt. Establishing communications may also include transmitting a message and then retransmitting the message upon failure to receive an acknowledgement of receipt of the message. Establishing communications may also include establishing a connection via a connection-based protocol (such as and without limitation TCP/IP). Establishing communications may include selecting a frequency division, time division, code division, modulation, etc. that is suitable for transmitting and receiving data between communications modules. A variety of techniques for establishing communications will be appreciated.
• Referring toFIG. 30, theremote control118 may communicate with a number ofadjustable bed facilities102. As described below, the communication includes acknowledgements and may occur over multiple channels, allowing substantially reliable communication between theremote control118 and theadjustable bed facilities102 even in the presence of interference, for example as might occur in an environment with other remote controls communicating with other adjustable bed facilities.
• A plurality of wireless communication channels (embodied, e.g., as frequency-division multiplexed channels, time-division multiplexed channels, code-division multiplexed channels, etc.) may be available between theremote control118 and theadjustable bed facility102. For example, these wireless channels may be embodied as BLUETOOTH channels betweenBLUETOOTH modules2804, WIFI channels between theWIFI modules2802, and so on. Communication between theremote control118 and theadjustable bed facility102 begins over a default channel selected from the plurality of wireless communication channels (step3002). Upon detecting a second wireless communication channel with less interference than the default channel, theremote control118 may select the second wireless communication channel for future communication with the adjustable bed facility102 (step3004). Theremote control118 may instruct theadjustable bed facility102 to communicate using the second wireless communication channel. Thereafter, communications continue over the second wireless communication channel until a communications failure occurs (step3008). In embodiments, theremote control118 transmits a command to theadjustable bed facility102 instructing theadjustable bed facility102 to switch to the new channel.
• Communications between theremote control118 and theadjustable bed facilities102 may include commands from theremote control118 and acknowledgements from theadjustable bed facilities102. A communications failure occurs when an expected command or acknowledgement fails to arrive prior to expiration of a timeout period. In particular, after sending a command to theadjustable bed facility102, theremote control118 expects to receive, prior to expiration of a timeout period, an acknowledgement from theadjustable bed facility102; after receiving a command from theremote control118, theadjustable bed facility102 transmits an acknowledgement and expects to receive, prior to expiration of a timeout period, a subsequent command from theremote control118.
• If theremote control118 detects the communications failure (i.e., timeout prior to receiving expected acknowledgement), theremote control118 reverts back to communicating over the default channel (step3010). Eventually, theremote control118 may again find another channel with less interference, at which point theremote control118 may select that channel for future communication (step3004).
• If theadjustable bed facility102 detects the communications failure (i.e., timeout prior to receiving expected subsequent command), theadjustable bed facility102 begins alternating between the second channel and the default channel, listening for a the subsequent command from theremote control118 on both channels, sequentially, (step3012) until it receives the subsequent command. Having received the subsequent command, theadjustable bed facility102 stops scanning and instead continues listening on the channel that carried the subsequent message received (step3014).
• Referring toFIG. 31, embodiments of theremote control118 may command more than oneadjustable bed facility102 at a time. Theremote control118 may send a command to a first adjustable bed facility102 (step3102); wait for a finite timeout period to receive an acknowledgement from the first adjustable bed facility102 (step3104); upon receiving the acknowledgement or upon expiration of the timeout period, transmit the command to a second adjustable bed facility102 (step3108); wait for the finite timeout period to receive an acknowledgement from the second adjustable bed facility102 (step3110); and so on. Subsequent commands may be sent, for example, in response to user input to theremote control118. These subsequent commands may include retransmissions of earlier commands for which acknowledgement was not received prior to expiration of the timeout period. For example and without limitation, theremote control118 may send a command to a first bed, fail to receive acknowledgement from the first bed prior to expiration of a timeout period, send the command to a second bed, successfully or unsuccessfully receive acknowledgement from the second bed prior to expiration of a timeout period, and then retransmit the command to the first bed.
• Referring toFIG. 32, theadjustable bed facility102 may be outfitted with amotion sensor3202 operatively coupled to lay-flat logic3204 for transitioning theadjustable bed facility102 to a laying-flat position. Themotion sensor3202 is configured to detect motion of anactuator120. In embodiments themotion sensor3202 may include a Hall effect sensor, an optical source/detector pair separated by a material that is alternately transparent and opaque as it translates between the source/detector pair, and so on. In embodiments, the lay-flay logic3204 may be implemented in hardware, software, or the like.
• Referring toFIG. 33, in response to a command to lay theadjustable bed facility102 flat, the lay-flat logic3204 causes or activates anactuator120 to move in a direction bringing theadjustable bed facility102 to a laying-flat position (step3302). As theadjustable bed facility102 moves, themotion sensor3202 detects the motion (step3304). Theactuator120 reaches a physical limit when the bed is laid flat, preventing further motion by theactuator120, even though the lay-flat logic3204 continues to urge theactuator120 to move in the direction that brought theadjustable bed facility102 to the laying-flat position (step3308). Themotion sensor3202 detects the lack of motion (step3310). The lay-flat logic3204 responds to the lack of motion (either immediately or after a period of time) by deactivating the actuator120 (step3312). By detecting the lack of motion and deactivating theactuator120, the lay-flat logic3204 conserves energy/frees up power to be used by other aspects of theadjustable bed facility102. In addition, it should be appreciated that the lay-flat logic3204 does not depend upon the magnitude of the speed of the bed's motion, only the state of motion (i.e., moving vs. not moving). Thus, any configuration in which theactuator120 can move at all in response to the lay-flat logic3204 (e.g., actuators of different speeds/strengths, things of different weights laying on the bed, etc.) can operate according to this method.
• As described above for example with reference toFIG. 2, theelectronic facility140 includes acontroller150 and acommunications module144.
• Referring now toFIG. 34, an embodiment of thecontroller150 may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) or the like, including a MicroController Unit (MCU)3402, a 2-wayRF communication module3404, and a data port3408 (e.g., serial data port RS485 or the like). An embodiment of thecommunications module144 may include anMCU3402, theWIFI communication module2802, theBLUETOOTH communication module2804, theANT communication module2814, and a low-power or short-range radio interface3410 (e.g., 434 MHz radio interface of the like). Thecommunications module144 may be in operative communication with adata outlet3412 through which an IPHONE or smartphone, computer, network, or the like communicates with thecommunications module144. Additionally or alternatively, an IPHONE, DROID phone, or smartphone3432 (or computer, network, or the like) may wirelessly communicate with thecommunications module144.
• TheWIFI communication module2802 implements and communicates via one of the family of IEEE 802.11 standards. TheBLUETOOTH communications module2804 implements and communicates via to one of the family of BLUETOOTH standards (e.g., Bluetooth v1.0, v1.0B, v1.1, v1.2, v2.0+EDR, v2.1+EDR, v3.0+HS, v3.0+EDR, etc.). TheANT communication module2814 implements and communicates according to one of the family of ANT standards (e.g., ANT, ANT+, etc.). In embodiments, theANT communication module2814 supports communications of at least 1 Mbps in a broadcast network, a peer-to-peer network (acknowledged or bidirectional), a secure authenticated network, a star network, a shared uni-directional network, a shared bi-directional network, an ad-hoc automatically shared network, a scanning mode network (e.g., a single hub node receiving communications from a plurality of other nodes), a practical mesh network (e.g., multiple star networks connected by shared relay nodes), a shared cluster network (e.g., networks with shared hub nodes in bidirectional communication), and so on.
• Theelectronic facility140 may be operatively coupled to a power downbox3414, a wire remote3418 (e.g., an embodiment of the remote control118), a wireless remote3420 (e.g., an embodiment of the remote control118), aY cable3422, a lift motor3424 (e.g., an embodiment of the actuator120), a massage motor3428 (e.g., an embodiment of the vibration facility132), apersonal computer3430, and so on.
• The power downbox3414 may include a housing containing a battery and a button or the like to initiate a power down sequence. The power down sequence may command thecontroller150 to lay theadjustable bed facility102 flat. Without limitation, this may include invoking, in response to a press of the button, the method described hereinabove with reference toFIG. 33.
• TheY cable3422 may make a shared, wired communications path available betweencontroller150 and a number of other devices.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, vibration of theremote control2002 may be initiated automatically as soon as the user preferences are adjusted. In such a scenario, a user may perform a task to govern the vibration mode. In an embodiment, vibration may be initiated based on user interaction with theremote control2002 through touch-based methods. For example, vibration may be initiated through a single touch on the touch screen user interface2102. In another example, vibration of theremote control2002 may be initiated through a continual touch on the touch screen user interface2102. In another exemplary scenario, vibration of theremote control2002 may be initiated through a persistent touch on the touch screen user interface2102. In yet another scenario, vibration of theremote control2002 may be initiated through a swipe or any other similar mechanism without limitations. In certain embodiments of the present invention, human biometric and behaviometric techniques may be employed to initiate the vibrations for various operational characteristics.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the touch screen user interface2102 may also allow the user to adjust various operational settings and user preferences using various methods including, without limitations, single touch, persistent touch, continual touch, and the like.
• Referring toFIG. 36, theadjustable bed facility102 may include a pre-setanti-snore position3602 for quieting a snoring occupant of theadjustable bed facility102. Theanti-snore position3602 may be a head elevation position, such as 7-degrees above flat, 15-degrees above flat, something between 7- and 15-degrees above flat, and so on. In embodiments theadjustable bed facility102 may assume the anti-snore position3602 (e.g., by adjusting the position of the head frame1004) in response to a user input. Without limitation, the user input may include a direct input to theadjustable bed facility102 such as a press of a button or touch screen on theadjustable bed facility102, a voice-command input, a signal transmitted by the remote control118 (or the like) in response to the user input, and so on. In embodiments theadjustable bed facility102 may assume theanti-snore position3602 in response to a sensor input indicating that the occupant of theadjustable bed facility102 is or may be snoring. For example and without limitation the sensor may include an acoustic sensor responsive to the sound of snoring; an air-flow sensor responsive to inhibited breathing such as due to snoring or sleep apnea, and so on; a vibration sensor that detects a characteristic vibration of the user associated with snoring; or the like.
• Referring toFIG. 37, a user3708 may lay upon amattress3702 of theadjustable bed facility102. The user3708, themattress3702, and theadjustable bed facility102 may be instrumented withsensors3704. Thesensors3704 may detect various indicia of sleep quality and report the indicia (e.g., via wired or wireless communication) to other elements of theadjustable bed facility102, theremote control118, theauxiliary systems114, and so on. This allows for both real-time adjustment of theadjustable bed facility102 to improve the sleep quality and reporting of the indicia and the sleep quality. Without limitation the reporting may occur via theremote control118 or any other device in communication with thesensors3704 or theadjustable bed facility102. In addition to any and all such devices described herein and elsewhere, the other device in communication with thesensors3704 may include a bed-side display device.
• The real-time adjustment of theadjustable bed facility102 may occur at a natural waking point as determined by reference to an indication of sleep quality. The indication of sleep quality may indicate that a user3708 is lightly asleep, deeply asleep, in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, and so on. For example and without limitation, thesensors3704 may include a headband that senses indicia of sleep quality such as and without limitation to electrical signals produced by the user's3708 brain; thesensors3704 may include a motion sensor that detects motion of the user3708 (e.g., rolling, kicking, arms moving, etc.); thesensors3704 may include a pressure sensor that detects a sleep position of the user3708; thesensors3704 may include an acoustic sensor that detects a noise of the user3708 (e.g., snoring, sleep talking, etc.); theaccelerometer1504; and so on.
• Referring toFIG. 38, a controller may receive3802 an anti-snore activation signal from a remote control; monitor3804 asensor3704 for a first reading indicative of a snoring user; activate3808 anactuator120 to move anadjustable bed facility102 into ananti-snore position3602; monitor3810 theadjustable bed facility102 to confirm that theadjustable bed facility102 achieves theanti-snore position3602; monitor3812 thesensor3704 for a second reading; and, after failing to receive the second reading, activating3814 theactuator120 to move theadjustable bed facility102 into a second anti-snore position.
• Referring toFIG. 39, theremote control118 may include a touchscreen graphical user interface3902 adapted to display ananti-snore icon3904, receive a touch input indicating user-selection of theanti-snore icon3904, and transmit an anti-snore activation signal in response to the touch input.
• In an embodiment of the present invention, the user may define different types of vibrations for indicating various operational settings and user preferences. In another embodiment, sound effects may also be associated in conjunction with the vibrations to indicate various operational settings and user preferences.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, vibrations may be initiated in ways other than through touch-based modes. In an exemplary scenario, vibrations may be initiated using buttons provided on theremote control2002. For example, several buttons may be provided that may designate a specific user preference. When a user presses a specific button, the user preference associated with that button may be identified and theremote control2002 may be enabled to vibrate as soon as the specific user preference resets. In another embodiment, a single button may be provided to perform operations associated with various user preferences.
• In accordance with various embodiments, icons may be provided on theremote control2002 to control various operational settings and user preferences. These icons may be related to a timer, a clock, massage motor speed, horizontal bed angle setting, vertical bed angle setting, bed height, bed width, bed length, and the like. Similarly, various icons related to the second system may also be provided on theremote control2002. Interaction with any of these icons may result in vibration of the remote control as described herein.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, theremote control2002 may be utilized to perform several operations such as controlling the adjustable bed2020 based on user preferences, identifying resetting of user preferences associated with the adjustable bed2020, controlling operations of the second system based on user preferences, identifying resetting of user preferences associated with the second system, and the like without limitations.
• The elements depicted in flow charts and block diagrams throughout the figures imply logical boundaries between the elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may be implemented as parts of a monolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these; and all such implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, while the foregoing drawings and descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems, no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functional aspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context.
• Similarly, it will be appreciated that the various steps identified and described above may be varied, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particular applications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various steps should not be understood to require a particular order of execution for those steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context.
• The methods or processes described above, and steps thereof, may be realized in hardware, software, or any combination of these suitable for a particular application. The hardware may include a general-purpose computer and/or dedicated computing device. The processes may be realized in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors, or other programmable device, along with internal and/or external memory. The processes may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured to process electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one or more of the processes may be realized as computer executable code created using a structured programming language such as C, an object oriented programming language such as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language (including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages and technologies) that may be stored, compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well as heterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, or combinations of different hardware and software.
• Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinations thereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executing on one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In another aspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the steps thereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, or all of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalone device or other hardware. In another aspect, means for performing the steps associated with the processes described above may include any of the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
• While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.
• All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims (13)

1-20. (canceled)

21. A method in an adjustable bed, the method comprising:

monitoring a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user;

activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position;

monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position;

monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user; and

after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein monitoring the sensor for the first reading includes monitoring the sensor in response to receipt of an anti-snore-mode activation signal from a remote control.

23. A system, comprising:

an adjustable bed including an actuator that moves an adjustable portion of the adjustable bed between a plurality of positions;

a sensor that produces a reading indicative of a snoring user;

a handheld remote control including a touchscreen graphical user interface, the remote control adapted to transmit an anti-snore-mode activation signal in response to user selection of an icon via the interface; and

a controller operatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor, the controller adapted to carry out the following steps:

receiving the activation signal;

monitoring, in response to receipt of the activation signal, a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user;

activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position; and

monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position.

24. The system ofclaim 23, wherein the controller is further adapted to carry out the following steps:

monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user; and

after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.

25. A method of controlling an adjustable bed, comprising:

in response to an indication by a user that the user would like the adjustable bed in a position to mitigate snoring, causing a bed frame position controller to move a mechanical component of the adjustable bed to a pre-selected position and causing the controller to confirm that the pre-selected position has been achieved by monitoring the position of the mechanical component and comparing the position of the mechanical component with the pre-selected position.

26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the bed frame position controller maintains the pre-selected position in a table of positions along with an indication that the pre-selected position is the position to mitigate snoring.

27. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the user initiates the indication by making a selection on a hand held remote control.

28. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the hand held remote control includes a touch screen graphical user interface and the selection is made by touching a selectable icon indicative of the position to mitigate snoring.

29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the hand held remote control includes a telephone feature.

30. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the hand held remote control includes a cell phone feature.

31. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the hand held remote control includes a VoIP feature.

32-35. (canceled)

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