Patent Application
20240138583
This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for controlling smart beds through a remote control. More specifically, this disclosure relates to systems and methods for updating a smart bed remote control.
In various aspects, methods for updating controls of a smart bed are disclosed.
A smart bed of this disclosure may include a mattress that defines the sleep surface, at least one sensor associated with the sleep surface, a control unit that communicates with the at least one sensor and controls one or more functions of the smart bed, and a remote control that communicates with the control unit. A smart bed may also include a foundation for the mattress, which may also function under control of the control unit and/or the remote control. In some embodiments, the smart bed may interact with an environment in which the mattress is located.
The mattress may have any suitable configuration. As a few examples, the mattress may comprise a conventional mattress with coils, a so-called “memory foam” mattress, a mattress with one or more bladders that may be selectively pressurized, a gel mattress, or a mattress that includes a combination of these and/or other features.
The at least one sensor may be capable of detecting motion or another activity (e.g., proximity, the application of pressure, etc.) to a surrounding area of the sleep surface of the mattress. Each sensor may comprise an accelerometer. More specifically, the at least one sensor may be positioned adjacent to the sleep surface at a location where it may detect the presence of at least one individual approaching or leaving the smart bed (e.g., an individual in proximity to the smart bed, etc.) and/or the presence the individual(s) on the sleep surface. The at least one sensor may detect a respiratory rate of an individual on the sleep surface, a heart rate of an individual on the sleep surface, a temperature of at least one part of a body of an individual on the sleep surface, and/or a humidity generated by at least one part of a body of an individual on the sleep surface. The at least one sensor may even detect a position (e.g., a sleep position, etc.) of an individual on the sleep surface and/or any of a variety of other factors relating to at least one individual on the sleep surface.
The control unit that communicates with (e.g., receives signals from, etc.) each sensor associated with the sleep surface of the mattress may comprise one or more processing elements of a suitable type. In some embodiments, the control unit may comprise one or more microcontrollers, which may execute an embedded program (e.g., firmware) to control one or more dedicated functions. The control unit may be carried by the mattress (e.g., internally, adjacent to a foot of the mattress; etc.).
In some embodiments, a remote control system for a smart bed includes the smart bed, including its control unit, a remote control, and a portable electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.). The smart bed or, more specifically, the control unit thereof, may receive signals from, or be controlled by, a remote control. The control unit that may control operation of at least one function of the smart bed, with a receiver in communication with the control unit. The remote control may include a processor (e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.). At least one input of the remote control may communicate with the processor of the remote control to enable an individual to determine a manner in which the at least one function of the smart bed will operate. A transmitter in communication with the processor of the remote control may transmit signals under control of the processor of the remote control to the control unit of the smart bed. In turn, the control unit of the smart bed may control operation of at least one function of the smart bed (e.g., the mattress, the foundation, etc.).
The portable electronic device may receive updates for the remote control and transmit the updates directly or indirectly to the remote control. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device of the remote control system includes a processor that executes an app for use with the smart bed (e.g., a smart bed control app, etc.), the app enabling the processor to receive updates for the remote control and to cause the processor to send updates to at least one of the control unit of the smart bed and the processor of the remote control. A transceiver in communication with the processor of the portable electronic device may (through an associated antenna) establish communication between the processor of the smart phone and at least one of the control unit of the smart bed and the processor of the remote control (e.g., through a transceiver and associated antenna of the remote control, etc.) to transmit the updates to at least one of the control unit of the smart bed and the processor of the remote control. In embodiments where updates are transmitted to the control unit of the smart bed, the control unit may then transmit the updates to the processor of the remote control. Updates may be automatically transmitted, or “pushed,” by the portable electronic device to the remote control or the control unit of the smart bed, or a user may be provided with an option of deciding whether to update the remote control; in such an embodiment, an update may be transmitted to the processor of the remote control or the control unit of the smart bed only if a user decides to update the remote control.
The portable electronic device may receive updates for a processor of the smart bed, such as the control unit of the smart bed and/or a processor of another component of the smart bed (e.g., a processor of an adjustable foundation, etc.) and transmit the updates directly or indirectly to the control unit and/or other processor. The processor of the portable electronic device may execute an app for use with the smart bed (e.g., a smart bed control app, etc.), the app enabling the processor to receive updates for the control unit and/or other processor and to cause the processor to send updates to at least one of the control unit, the other processor, and/or the processor of the remote control. A transceiver in communication with the processor of the portable electronic device may (through an associated antenna) establish communication between the processor of the smart phone and at least one of the control unit, the other processor, and the processor of the remote control (e.g., through a transceiver and associated antenna of the remote control, etc.) to transmit the updates for the control unit and/or the other processor to at least one of the control unit, the other processor, and the processor of the remote control. In embodiments where updates are transmitted to the processor of the remote control, the processor may then transmit the updates to the control unit and/or the other processor. Updates for the control unit and/or the other processor may be automatically transmitted, or “pushed,” by the portable electronic device to the remote control or to the control unit and/or the other processor, or a user may be provided with an option of deciding whether to update the control unit and/or the other processor; in such an embodiment, an update may be transmitted to the processor of the remote control or the control unit and/or the other processor only if a user decides to update the control unit of the smart bed or the other processor of a component of the smart bed.
A few nonlimiting examples of functions of the smart bed for which an individual can determine a manner of operation include an orientation of the mattress or a portion thereof, a firmness (or softness) of the mattress or a portion thereof (e.g., pressurization of a bladder within the mattress, etc.), ventilation of the mattress or a portion thereof, a temperature of the mattress or a portion thereof, an anti-snore feature of the smart bed (e.g., its foundation, its mattress, etc.), etc.
The settings for one or more features of the smart bed, which may dictate any adjustments to the smart bed upon receiving an input, may be stored. An input on the remote control can enable the processor of the remote control to send a signal to retrieve and execute instructions to adjust the smart bed 10 in accordance with the input.
Methods for updating a remote control for a smart bed should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the preceding disclosure. Methods for updating a processor for a smart bed, such as a control unit of a smart bed or a processor of another component of the smart bed, should also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the preceding disclosure.
Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
In the drawings:
In one embodiment, a remote control system is used to control one or more aspects of a smart bed.
The mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 may have any suitable shape and dimensions and may include a cover 22 that contains various internal elements (not shown) of the mattress 20. The mattress may include edges 23, a top surface, or sleep surface 24, between top ends of the edges 23, and a bottom surface, or base 29, between bottom edges of the edges 23. The sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 may be configured to be slept on by at least one individual. The sleep surface 24 may include edges 25 at locations adjacent to side edges 23 of the mattress 20, a head portion 26, an intermediate portion 27, and a foot portion 28.
The mattress 20 may comprise any suitable type of mattress, such as a conventional mattress with springs and foam, a foam mattress, a memory foam mattress, a mattress with pressurizable bladders (e.g., air chambers, etc.), a mattress that includes a gel grid (e.g., those available from Purple Innovation, LLC, of Lehi, Utah and disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,060,213, 7,076,822, and 8,919,750, which may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, an extended A-B-A triblock copolymer, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,413,458, 6,797,765 and 7,964,664; the entire disclosures of the foregoing patents are hereby incorporated herein), or a mattress that includes any combination of these and/or other features.
The one or more sensors 40 may be carried by the mattress 20. Without limitation, at least one sensor 40 may be positioned adjacent to the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. For example, a sensor 40 may be positioned within a cover 22 of the mattress 20 in a manner that enables the sensor 40 to detect activity occurring on a sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. More specifically, each sensor 40 may be positioned within a recess or a receptacle that opens to and communicates with an outer surface of a component of the mattress 20 that carries the sensor 40, with the cover 22 being placed over the recess or receptacle. In other embodiments, the sensor 40 may be incorporated into the cover 22 or positioned between the cover 22 and internal components (not shown) (e.g., a top layer of foam, gel, etc.) of the mattress 20.
In some embodiments, the mattress 20 may carry a plurality of sensors 40. Without limitation, at least one thoracic sensor 40T may be positioned at the head portion 26 and/or the intermediate portion 27 of the mattress 20. At least one leg sensor 40L may be positioned at the foot portion 28 of the mattress 20. At least one ambient environment sensor 40E may be positioned at an edge 23 (e.g., on, adjacent to, or within a rail, etc.) of the mattress 20. In a specific embodiment, the mattress 20 may comprise a gel grid, with each thoracic sensor 40T and leg sensor 40L being positioned within a hollow column of the gel grid, adjacent to an upper surface of the gel grid, and each ambient environment sensor 40E being positioned within a recess or cavity that opens to or otherwise communicates with an outer surface of a side rail of the mattress 20.
The at least one thoracic sensor 40T may facilitate detection of the presence (or absence) of an individual on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. In addition, the at least one thoracic sensor 40T may be used to monitor one or more of the individual's movement (e.g., motion, position on the sleep surface 24, etc.), respiration, and heart rate. The at least one thoracic sensor 40T may also monitor the temperature of the individual's body and, optionally, humidity (e.g., humidity at least partially generated by a part of the individual's body, etc.). In a specific embodiment, the at least one thoracic sensor 40T may include an inclinometer (e.g., an inclinometer available from STMicroelectronics of Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, etc.), an accelerometer (e.g., an accelerometer available from MEMSIC Inc. of Andover, Massachusetts, etc.), and a plurality of temperature/humidity sensors (e.g., a temperature and/or humidity sensor available from Sensiron AG of Stafa, Switzerland, etc.).
The at least one leg sensor 40L may facilitate the detection of the presence (or absence) of an individual on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. In addition, the at least one leg sensor 40L may be used to monitor the individual's movement (e.g., motion, position, etc.), respiration, and heart rate. The at least one leg sensor 40L may monitor the temperature of the individual's legs and, optionally, humidity. In a specific embodiment, the at least one leg sensor 40L may include an accelerometer (e.g., an accelerometer available from MEMSIC Inc. of Andover, Massachusetts, etc.) and a plurality of temperature/humidity sensors (e.g., a temperature and/or humidity sensor available from Sensiron AG of Stafa, Switzerland, etc.).
The at least one ambient environment sensor 40E may facilitate the detection of the presence (or absence) of an individual in proximity to a side edge 23 of the mattress 20 or on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. In addition, the at least one ambient environment sensor 40E may be used to monitor information about an environment (e.g., a room, etc.) within which the mattress 20 is located, such as its temperature and/or humidity. In a specific embodiment, the at least one ambient environment sensor 40E may include an accelerometer (e.g., an accelerometer available from MEMSIC Inc. of Andover, Massachusetts, etc.) and a temperature/humidity sensor (e.g., a temperature and/or humidity sensor available from Sensiron AG of Stafa, Switzerland, etc.). A sensor 40 may comprise any of a variety of other types of sensors (e.g., a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.).
In the illustrated embodiment of mattress 20, each thoracic sensor 40T and leg sensor 40L is shown at a location where an individual is expected to lie on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 as he or she sleeps, with the mattress 20 having a size that accommodates two individuals. In other embodiments, including small mattresses (e.g., twin size, twin XL (extra long) size, full size, etc.) and large mattresses (e.g., queen size, king sizes, etc.), thoracic sensors 40T and leg sensors 40L may be positioned along a midline of the mattress—alone or in combination with other sensor placements.
The mattress 20 may also include one or more other features. Examples of such features include, without limitation, a pressurization system 44, a ventilation system 43, and/or a temperature control system 42 (
The foundation 60 of the smart bed 10 may include any suitable foundation for the mattress 20. In some embodiments, the foundation 60 may comprise an adjustable platform 61 (e.g., the Purple® Ascent Base adjustable platform, available from Purple Innovation, LLC, of Lehi, Utah, etc.). The adjustable platform 61 may include a plurality of movable sections 61H, 61I, 61F. In addition, as shown in
With reference to
The control unit 50 may include one or more processing elements of a suitable type (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), etc.). In some embodiments, the control unit 50 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, which may execute embedded programming (e.g., firmware) to control one or more dedicated functions of the smart bed 10. The control unit 50 may be carried by the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10, by the foundation 60 of the smart bed 10, or elsewhere.
A receiver 52 is in communication with the control unit 50 to receive instructions from one or more of the remote control 80, portable electronic device 70, a cloud server 95, and/or another remote device. More specifically, the receiver 52 of the smart bed 10 may be associated with the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 in a manner that enables the control unit 50 to receive transmissions from a transceiver 74 associated with a processor 72 of a portable electronic device 70 (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.), receive transmissions from a transceiver 85 of the remote control 80, receive transmissions from a cloud server 95, and/or receive transmissions from another device. Without limitation, the receiver 52 may comprise one or more of a WiFi transceiver, a Bluetooth® transceiver, a near-field communication (NFC) (e.g., radiofrequency (RF), etc.) transceiver, a 2.4 GHz RF transceiver, an infrared (IR) receiver or the like. An antenna may be associated with a transceiver that transmits and receives signals carried by electromagnetic waves. The receiver 52 may be carried by the mattress 20 of the smart bed, the foundation 60 of the smart bed 10, or elsewhere. In some embodiments, the receiver 52 may be associated with (e.g., located adjacent to, packaged with, etc.) the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10.
The portable electronic device 70 includes a processor 72 that executes an app for use with the smart bed 10. At least one transceiver 74 (which includes a transmitter 76 and a receiver 78, along with an associated antenna 79) of the portable electronic device 70 may be associated with the processor 72 in a manner that enables the processor 72 to receive signals from other devices. For example, the transceiver 74 may receive signals from the remote control 80, a cloud server 95, and/or another device. Without limitation, the transceiver 74 may comprise one or more of a WiFi receiver, a Bluetooth® receiver, a near-field communication (NFC) (e.g., RF, etc.) transceiver, a 2.4 GHz RF transceiver, or the like, along with an associated antenna. The transceiver 74 may transmit updates to at least one of the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 and the remote control 80.
The remote control 80 may include a processor 82 with at least one input 81 and at least one transceiver 85 in communication with the processor 82. The at least one input 81 may include one or more inputs to enable an individual to use the remote control 80 to control operation of the smart bed 10 and/or devices in the environment in which the smart bed 10 is located. The input(s) may be in communication with the processor 82 to enable an individual to determine a manner in which the at least one function of the smart bed 10 or its environment will operate. Such inputs can be physical, such as one or more actuators or buttons on the remote control 80. In some embodiments, inputs can also be received wirelessly by the remote control 80, such as from the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70.
In one embodiment, the at least one input 81 comprises one or more buttons or actuators on a housing of the remote control 80. More specifically, the input 81 can comprise one, two, or three or more buttons or actuators. In one embodiment, no more than three physical buttons or actuators are provided on the remote control 80. Providing an input 81 with three or fewer physical buttons or actuators can ease the simplicity of use of the remote control 80. In other embodiments the at least one input comprises an electronic signal.
The processor 82 of the remote control may be in communication with a transceiver 85, a transmitter 87, and/or a receiver 89, along with any associated antenna(s). The transmitter 87 (e.g., an IR transmitter, etc.) may transmit signals under control of the processor 82 to the receiver 52 and the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10. The transceiver 85 (e.g., a WiFi transceiver, a Bluetooth® transceiver, a near-field communication (NFC) (e.g., RF, etc.) transceiver, a 2.4 GHz RF transceiver, etc., along with an associated antenna) may also transmit signals under control of the processor 82 to one or more of a cloud server 95, a portable electronic device 70, and/or another device. At least one antenna 92 may be in communication with the transceiver 85, transmitter 87, receiver 89, etc. to enable transmission of signals carried by electromagnetic waves.
The transceiver 85, transmitter 87 and/or receiver 89 allow/s the processor 82 of the remote control 80 to transmit and receive data to and from a remote device, such as the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 and/or the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70. That is, the transceiver 85, transmitter 87, and/or receiver 89 may be may be associated with the processor 82 in a manner that enables the processor 82 of the remote control 80 to communicate with the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 and/or with the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70. Thus, an input received on the remote control 80 to determine a manner in which the at least one function of the smart bed 10 will operate can be communicated to the smart bed 10 and/or the portable electronic device 70. Similarly, an input received at the portable electronic device 70 can be communicated to the remote control 80.
Functions of the smart bed 10 that the remote control 80 may cause the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 to actuate or adjust in response to input(s) made by a user at the remote control 80 with one or more inputs 81 of the remote control 80 and received at the processor 82 of the remote control 80 include: providing at least at portion of the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 with a firmness or softness using a pressurization system 44 of the mattress 20 (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,139); causing at least a portion of the sleep surface 24 to be ventilated by a ventilation system 43 of the mattress 20 (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 11,311,111); causing at least a portion of the sleep surface 24 to be heated or cooled to a selected temperature; adjusting an orientation of at least a portion of the sleep surface 24 (e.g., with the adjustable platform 61, etc.); turning on an anti-snore feature of the smart bed 10 (e.g., of its foundation 60, its mattress 20, etc.); or adjusting any other feature of the smart bed 10, as desired.
The processor 82 of the remote control 80 may also be able to receive data (such as updates, etc.) from another wireless source. For example, software updates for the remote control 80 can be received by the remote control 80 from the portable electronic device 70, the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10, or elsewhere.
As a specific example of communicating updates, one or more apps executed by the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 may enable the processor 72 to receive one or more updates for the remote control 80, the control unit 50, and/or another processor of the smart bed 10 or a component of the smart bed 10 (e.g., the processor 62 of the foundation 60, etc.). The update(s) may be “pushed” to the portable electronic device 70 or the app(s) may enable the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 to search for and “pull” updates (e.g., from the cloud, etc.), either automatically or after receiving user instructions, or input, to identify and select from available updates. The processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 may then send the update(s) to the intended recipient (e.g., the processor 82 of the remote control 80, the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10, the other processor, etc.) directly or indirectly (e.g., updates for the processor 82 of the remote control 80 or the other processor of the smart bed 10 or a component thereof may be transmitted through the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10, updates for the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 or the other processor of the smart bed 10 or the component thereof may be transmitted through the processor 82 of the remote control, etc.).
In a specific embodiment, the remote control system 68 may enable communication between the remote control 80, the smart bed 10, and/or the portable electronic device 70 to allow updates to be received and communicated among the remote control 80, smart bed 10, and/or portable electronic device 70. Updates may be received, for example, from a cloud server 95, and transmitted to at least one of the remote control 80, smart bed 10, and/or portable electronic device 70. In a specific embodiment of updating the remote control 80, the app causes the processor 72 and transceiver 74 of the portable electronic device 70 to send updates for the remote control 80 directly to the transceiver 85 and the processor 82 of the remote control 80. In another embodiment, the app causes the processor 72 and the transceiver 74 of the portable electronic device 70 to send updates for the remote control 80 to the receiver 52 and the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10, which may then send the update(s) through the receiver 52 of the smart bed 10 to the transceiver 85 and processor 82 of the remote control 80. In other embodiments, the update(s) can be transmitted to an intermediary device that can operate under control of the remote control 80 (e.g., the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10, another processor of the smart bed 10, etc.), and then be transmitted from the intermediary device to the remote control 80.
In another specific embodiment of updating the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 or another processor 62 of the smart bed 10 or a component (e.g., the foundation 60, etc.) of the smart bed 10, the remote control system 68 may enable communication between the remote control 80, smart bed 10, and/or portable electronic device 70 to allow updates for the control unit 50 and/or the other processor 62 to be received and communicated among the remote control 80, smart bed 10, and/or portable electronic device 70. Updates for the control unit 50 and/or the other processor 62 may be received, for example, from a cloud server 95, and transmitted to at least one of the remote control 80, smart bed 10, and/or portable electronic device 70.
In one embodiment, the app causes the processor 72 and transceiver 74 of the portable electronic device 70 to send updates for the control unit 50 or the smart bed 10 and/or the other processor 62 of the component (e.g., the foundation 60, etc.) of the smart bed 10 directly to the receiver 52 and the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 or the other processor 62 and its associated transceiver 64 of the component of the smart bed 10. In another embodiment, the app causes the processor 72 and the transceiver 74 of the portable electronic device 70 to send update(s) for the control unit 50 and/or the other processor 62 to the transceiver 85 and processor 82 of the remote control 80, which may then send the update(s) to the receiver 52 and/or transceiver 64. In yet other embodiments, the update(s) for the control unit 50 and/or the other processor 62 can be transmitted to an intermediary device that can operate under control of the remote control 80 and/or control unit 50, and then transmitted from the intermediary device to the remote control 80 and/or control unit 50. Where the update is transmitted from the intermediary device to the remote control 80, the remote control 80 may then send the update(s) to the receiver 52 of the smart bed 10 or the transceiver 64 of the component of the smart bed 10.
In addition, a smart bed control app executed by the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 can store settings of the smart bed 10 specific for an individual (e.g., based on user inputs, etc.) and, in some embodiments, may allow a user to modify the settings. In other configurations, the app(s) may generate new settings in response to how the individual sleeps (e.g., the individual's sleep position, movement while sleeping (which may be correlated with the time(s) of movement), movement of bedding while sleeping (which may be correlated with time(s) of movement), snoring, etc.). Stated another way, the smart bed control app may “learn” (e.g., by machine learning, etc.) about how the individual sleeps and modify or generated settings based on the information it learns.
The smart bed control app may cause the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 to transmit the settings to the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 (e.g., by way of the transceiver 74 and an associated antenna of the portable electronic device 70 to the receiver 52 of the smart bed 10 through an associated antenna, etc.). The control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 may then use the settings to actuate or adjust one or more features of the smart bed 10.
The smart bed control app may initiate communication between the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 and the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10. Alternatively, the control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 may be programmed to wake the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 as a component of the smart bed 10 (e.g., at least one sensor 40, etc.) detects the presence of the portable electronic device 70 or the individual in close proximity to the mattress 20 and/or detects the presence of an individual on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. The control unit 50 of the smart bed 10 may then cause the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 to initiate execution of the smart bed control app.
Although this disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and of their elements and features, may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.
