The present invention relates to a body support systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to body support systems that adapt to a user to maximize support and relative comfort of the user.
Body supports are generally known in the art, and often include one or more deformable elements provided to support one or more body parts of a human or animal. A body support may include, but is not limited to, a mattress, pillow, or cushion, including those for use in beds, seats, or chairs. A body support may be any desired shape or size suitable to support a portion, up to and including the entirety, of the user.
Known body supports may be constructed of a single layer of material. For example, a body support may be constructed of a single layer of natural material, such as cotton, down, and other natural materials, foam and other synthetic materials, devices and objects such as air bladders, metal or plastic springs, and the like. Still other body supports may be constructed of multiple layers of any of these materials. For example, multi-layer body supports can be made of two or more layers of synthetic foams, such as polyurethane viscoelastic or non-viscoelastic foam, latex foam, and/or other foam materials.
Known single and multi-layer body supports are generally mass produced. During mass production, each layer of the body support is typically constructed of a homogeneous material based on a uniform pattern or design. Accordingly, each layer is typically constructed to have the same dimensions and physical properties across the body support.
Known body supports are also not generally customized to the body type of a user. Commercially available body supports are typically sold by a level of firmness, for example firm, plush, euro plush, and pillow top. Some other known body supports provide firmness adjustment, for example by providing internal air chambers that may be inflated or deflated with air to respectfully increase or decrease the firmness. While these known body supports allow a user to select or adjust firmness, these body supports are generally not manufactured so that they are customized to the user. Instead, such adjustable body supports typically require the user to adjust the body support to the user's preferences. This often limits the degree to which the body support can be adjusted to the user. Also, such body supports often have limited firmness customization across the body support, and are often not customized to the body type of the user.
The invention provides, in one aspect, a system for adjusting a body support during use, including a body support having an adjustable layer and a plurality of sensors, and a processing system in communication with the plurality of sensors and the adjustable layer. The processing system receives information from the plurality of sensors and then transmits instructions to the adjustable layer to adjust the layer.
The invention provides, in another aspect, a system for adjusting a body support during use, including a body support having an adjustable layer, a body image scanner in operational communication with the body support, and a processing system in communication with the adjustable layer by a first communication link, and in communication with the body image scanner by a second communication link. The processing system receives depth image information from the body image scanner and then transmits instructions to the adjustable layer to adjust the layer.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details or construction and the arrangement of components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures and disclosed herein are generally directed to an adaptable body support system 100 that monitors the user 200 during use, and adapts a body support 110 to the user 200 to improve the relative comfort of the user 200. By monitoring the user 200 during use, the body support system 100 generates information about the user 200 and the body support 110. As the user 200 moves during use, conditions associated with relative comfort of the user 200 change. The body support system 100 utilizes the information to responsively adjust the body support 110 to the change in conditions. This adaptability, which is some embodiments can be real-time, improves user support and the relative comfort of the user 200, which in turn improves the experience and sleep quality for the user 200.
For ease of discussion and understanding, the following detailed description refers to a body support 110, and illustrates the body support 110 as a mattress. It should be appreciated that the mattress is provided for purposes of illustration only. The features described herein in association with the body support 110 are applicable to any suitable element provided to support one or more body parts of a human or animal. Accordingly, the term body support may include, but is not limited to, a mattress, mattress topper, overlay, futon, sleeper sofa, cushion, seat cushion, seat back, pillow, neck pillow, leg spacer pillow, eye mask, or any other element provided to support a portion, up to and including the entirety, of a human or animal. In addition, the body support 110 may be any suitable or desired size or shape.
It should also be appreciated that the term “relative comfort” of the user 200 refers to how comfortable or physically content the user 200 is in association with the body support 110 at any given moment in time. The term relative comfort may generally be a subjective level of physical comfort felt by the user 200 at a given moment while using the body support 110, or after the conclusion of use of the body support 110. Relative comfort may also change from moment to moment, and may be unique to one or more different users 200.
In addition, it should be appreciated that the terms “physical property” and “physical properties” of the body support 110 are inclusive of properties of the body support 110 that may be modified, controlled, or adjusted during manufacturing. Physical properties of the body support 110 include, but are not limited to, firmness, density, sag-factor, air flow, resilience, hardness of material, and compression.
Referring now to the figures,
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of sensors 260 are arranged in an array, hereinafter referred to as a sensor array 260. The sensor array 260 is positioned on the adjustable layer 220. The sensor array 260 can measure the location and/or magnitude of pressure and/or force applied on the body support 110. In addition, the sensor array 260 can measure peak pressures and/or overall pressure distribution patterns. An example of a suitable sensor array 260 is the BODY PRESSURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM or BPMS (available from TEKSCAN, INC. headquartered in South Boston, Mass.). The sensor array 260 is in communication with the processing system 120, for example through the first communication link 130. In other embodiments, the sensor array 260 may be positioned between the first (or adjustable) layer 220 and second layer 240, or at any other suitable or desired position in the body support 110.
An outer barrier 270 encases a portion, or the entirety, of the plurality of layers 220, 240 and sensor array 260 of the body support 110. The outer barrier 270 may be a fire barrier, a ticking, or other suitable or desired material.
With reference to the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable layer or first layer 220 includes a plurality of adjustable bladders 222. Referring now to
The bladder 225 is fluidly connected to a tube 227a by an inlet 228. The tube 227a exits the pad 223 to a control unit 230. The control unit 230 includes one or more valves or solenoid valves 229 associated with one or more adjustable bladders 222. The valves 229 are in electrical communication with a controller 233 through a first control line 234. A vacuum pump 231 is in fluid communication with the control unit 230 by tube 227b, and is in electrical communication with the controller 233 by a second control line 232. The vacuum pump 231 also includes a discharge tube 227c. The controller 233 is in communication with processing system 120 (shown in
Referring to
While
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The cellular frame structure 348 may be formed of a nonwoven material, or any other suitable or desired material. While the cells 346 are illustrated as having a polygonal shape, and specifically a hexagon, in other embodiments the cells 346 may be any suitable shape or combination of shapes. After the layer material 342 fills each of the cells 346, the frame structure 348 may remain, may be physically removed, or may dissolve. In embodiments where the frame structure 348 remains, it is preferable that the frame structure 348 is not rigid, or has sufficient flexibility so as to not negatively influence the relative comfort of the user during use of the body support 110.
The foam used to in the adjustable layer 220 and second layer 240 may include, but is not limited to, viscoelastic foam, non-viscoelastic foam, latex foam, polyurethane foam, and/or any known or future developed suitable expanded polymer, such as expanded ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene. In addition, the foam may be reticulated foam or non-reticulated foam. Reticulated foam is a cellular foam structure in which the cells of the foam are essentially skeletal. In other words, the cells of the reticulated foam are each defined by a plurality of apertured windows surrounded by cell struts. The cell windows of reticulated foam can be entirely gone (leaving only the cell struts) or substantially gone. Foam may be considered “reticulated” if a portion of the windows of the cells are missing (i.e., windows having apertures therethrough, or windows that are completely missing and therefore leaving only the cell struts). As a non-limiting example, foam may be considered “reticulated” if at least 50% of the windows of the cells are missing. Such structures can be created by destruction or other removal of cell window material, or by preventing the complete formation of cell windows during the manufacturing process of the foam. Non-reticulated foam includes a cellular structure, wherein the walls of the individual cells are substantially intact. Also, phase change material may be injected, embedded, infused, or otherwise included with the one or more types of foam. The phase change material may be encapsulated phase change material or unencapsulated phase change material. Phase change material generally provides latent heat storage through a change in phase of the material (such as a solid-liquid phase change material).
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The body image scanner 140 is electrically connected to the processing system 120 through the second communication link 150. Similarly, the body support 110 is electrically connected to the processing system 120 through the first communication link 130. The communication links 130, 150 each provide a pathway for communication between the processing system 150 and the respective body support 110 and body image scanner 140. The communication links 130, 150 are illustrated as a Category 5 or Cat5 cable. However, in other embodiments, the communication links 130, 150 may be any suitable communications protocol or pathway, including, but not limited to, wireless communication, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, or universal serial bus (USB).
The processing system 120 is a programmable computer system in communication with the body support 110 and the body image scanner 140. Referring now to
In one or more examples of embodiments, the processing system 120 may be any known or future developed programmable computer processor system suitable for communication with the body support 110 and/or body image scanner 140, and to process and analyze any and all data as disclosed herein. The processing system 120 may also have a user interface of manual or specific body support 110 adjustments depending upon conditions desired by the user 200. In other examples of embodiments, the computer readable storage medium 124 may include any data storage device which can store data that can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of computer readable storage medium 124 may include read-only memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-RW, magnetic tapes, Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, or any other magnetic, optical or other suitable data storage device. The computer readable storage medium 124 may also be distributed over a network coupled to or in communication with the processing system 120 so that any executable instructions are stored and/or executed in a distributed fashion.
While the adaptable body support system 100 discloses both the body support 110 having the sensor array 260 that generates information about the user 200 and the body support 110, and the body image scanner 140 that generates digital range image data to track the movement of the user 200 while using the body support 110, in other embodiments the support system 100 may incorporate one of the body support 110 having the sensor array 260, or alternatively the body image scanner 140.
Referring to
Next, at step 404, the user 200 may input any manual parameters to provide specific adjustments to the body support 110. Such manual parameters may include, but are not limited to, providing instructions to adjust one of more of the adjustable bladders 222 of the adjustable layer 220 of the body support 110. Such a manual adjustment may be desired to provide an initial level of support or relative comfort desired by the user 200.
At step 406, the user 200 begins use of the adaptable body support system 100. More specifically, the user 200 begins use of the body support 110. For example, as illustrated in
Next, at step 408, while the user 200 is asleep, the plurality of sensors 260 monitor the user 200 using the body support 110 and generate information regarding the user in real time. For example, and with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the sensors 260 measure the location and magnitude of both pressure and force applied by the user 200 on the body support 110, and peak pressures and overall pressure distribution patterns across the body support 110. The generated information is transmitted through the first communication link 130 to the processing system 120, where the information is analyzed. During the analysis, changes in the generated information are indicative of changes in the body support 110 conditions, and thus the user support and relative comfort of the user 200. If the analysis determines the change is adversely affecting user support and/or relative comfort of the user 200, such as an increase in pressure over a particular threshold at a location on the body support 110, the analysis will provide commands to the body support 110 to adapt to the changing conditions. For example, the changing conditions may be caused by movement of the user 200 while sleeping. The user 200 may move into a different sleep position, such as moving from the “soldier” position in
Simultaneously, or sequentially, at step 410, the body image scanner 140 scans and captures one or more digital depth images 160 of the user 200. The body image scanner 140 transmits the digital depth images 160 through the second communications link 150 to the processing system 120, where the digital depth images 160 are analyzed. During the analysis, changes in the depth images 160 indicative of changes in body position of the user 200 are also indicative of changes in the body support 110 conditions, and thus the user support and relative comfort of the user 200. If the analysis determines the change is adversely affecting user support and/or relative comfort of the user 200, the analysis will provide commands to the body support 110 to adapt to the changing conditions.
At step 412, the processing system 120 generates and provides instructions (or commands) for the body support 110 to adjust one or more of the adjustable bladders 222 of the adjustable layer 220. The instructions are transmitted to the body support 110 along the first communication link 130. Once received by the body support 110, the body support 110 executes the instructions.
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If the one or more bladders 222 require inflation, the applicable bladders 222 are isolated by actuating or opening the associated valve or valves 229. In embodiments where the bladders 222 are under a vacuum, opening the valve or valves 229 results in air inflating the bladders 222, as the bladders 222 are no longer under vacuum. Otherwise, in embodiments where the bladders 222 are not under a vacuum, the valve or valves 229 may be opened and the vacuum pump 231 is actuated to pump air into the bladders 222 through tubes 227a, b, c to inflate the associated internal bladders 225 until reaching a desired or targeted thickness. The desired thickness may range from thickness Tc, up to and including thickness Td. Once the applicable bladders 222 reach the desired thickness, the associated valve or valves 229 are closed.
If the one or more bladders 222 require deflation, the applicable bladders 222 are isolated by actuating or opening the associated valve or valves 229, and the vacuum pump 231 is actuated to pump air out of the bladders 222 through tubes 227a, b, c. This deflates the internal bladder 225 until reaching a desired or targeted thickness. The desired thickness may range from thickness Td, down to and including thickness Tc. Once the applicable bladders 222 reach the desired thickness, the associated valve or valves 229 are closed.
It should be appreciated that whether inflating or deflating the bladders 222, the desired thickness of the bladders 225 may be identified by closed loop control through the sensors 260 and/or body image scanner 140. When the desired or targeted thickness is reached, as measured by the information generated by the sensors 260 and/or body image scanner 140, the processing system 120 may send additional instructions (or commands) to the body support 110 to stop adjustment of the bladders 222.
Once the adjustable layer 220 has been adaptively changed to adjust for the change in conditions, the process returns to steps 408 and/or 410 and repeats as the conditions change. This cycle continues until the user wakes up and terminates operation of the process 400 at step 414.
In the embodiment illustrated in the figures and described herein, the body support 110 is adjustable by inflation and deflation of one or more bladders 225 provided in at least one layer 220 of the body support 110. However, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of other body support adjustment systems exist that can be used in conjunction with the body image scanner 140 and processing system 120 described herein. By way of example only, either or both layers 220, 240 of the body support 110 can be provided with a fluid conduit through which heated or cooled air or liquid is pumped in order to increase or decrease the firmness of the foam (e.g., viscoelastic foam) in desired areas of the body support 110. As another example, any portion of the body support can be raised or lowered in any manner (e.g., adjustable mattress foundation, inflatable bolsters and/or inflatable lateral rotation assemblies, and the like). Still other devices and systems for increasing or decreasing the firmness of particular areas of the body support 110 and/or for changing the shape of particular areas of the body support 110 can be employed as desired, and are suitable for use with the body image scanner 140 and processing system 110 described herein—whether in conjunction with the bladder system described above or otherwise.
The adaptable body support system 100 provides for adjustment (and in some embodiments, real-time adjustment) of a body support 110 based on changing conditions associated with the user 200 and the body support 110. This adaptability improves user support and the relative comfort of the user 200, which in turn improves the experience and sleep quality for the user 200. These and other advantages may be realized from one or more embodiments of the system, processes, and associated body support disclosed herein.