SEQUENCE INITIATION FOR PLACING A SMART BED IN AN OUT-OF-BED STATE

Abstract

A smart bed automatically initiates an out-of-bed sequence upon detecting the presence of an individual in a sleeping position on a sleep surface of the smart bed. Such a smart bed may include a mattress that defines the sleep surface, at least one sensor associated with the sleep surface, and a processor that communicates with the at least one sensor and controls one or more functions of the mattress. Initiation of the out-of-bed sequence may include initiating one or more functions of the smart bed and, optionally, one or more functions of an environment within which the smart bed is located.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to smart beds that automatically initiate an out-of-bed sequence upon detecting the presence of at least one individual on a sleep surface of a mattress of the smart bed and subsequently detecting removal of each individual from the sleep surface. More specifically, this disclosure relates to smart beds that automatically initiate one or more pre-programmed functions upon detecting the removal of an individual from the sleep surface. This disclosure also relates to methods for using smart beds, including methods that detect the presence of at least one individual on a sleep surface of a mattress of the smart bed, the removal of each individual from the sleep surface, and initiating one or more functions of the smart bed in response to detecting the removal of each individual from the sleep surface.

SUMMARY

In various aspects, out-of-bed sequences for smart beds are disclosed.

A smart bed of this disclosure is equipped to automatically initiate an out-of-bed sequence to place the mattress into an out-of-bed state upon detecting the presence of an individual on the sleep surface followed by the removal of the individual from the sleep surface. Such a smart bed may include a mattress that defines the sleep surface, an air bladder and a pump that communicates with an interior of the air bladder to pressurize the air bladder, at least one sensor associated with the sleep surface, and a processor that communicates with the sensor and the pump to control one or more functions of the mattress. A smart bed may also include a foundation for the mattress. 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 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. The sensor may be at least one sensor, at least two sensors, etc. More specifically, the sensor(s) may be positioned adjacent to the sleep surface at a location where it may detect the presence of an individual on the sleep surface, and even detect whether the individual is laying on the sleep surface in a sleeping position. In some embodiments, the sensor(s) may be positioned at a location where an individual would be expected to rest their legs when laying in a sleeping position on the sleep surface. In other embodiments, the sensor may comprise a group of sensors, such as any combination of a sensor at the side of the mattress (e.g., a sensor positioned over a rail of the mattress, on a side of a rail of the mattress, within a rail of the mattress, etc.), a sensor at a location where an individual would be expected to rest their body when assuming a sleeping position on the sleep surface, a sensor at a location where the individual would be expected to rest their legs when assuming a sleeping position on the sleep surface, and a sensor at any other location that may enable it detect activities that are ordinarily associated with an individual “climbing out of bed” (e.g., sitting up from laying down, moving from a center of the mattress to a side of the mattress, etc.).

The processor 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 processor may comprise one or more microcontrollers, which may execute embedded program(s) (e.g., firmware) to control one or more dedicated functions. The processor may be carried by the mattress (e.g., internally, adjacent to a foot of the mattress; etc.).

Based on data generated by the sensor(s), the processor may be programmed to detect a presence of an individual on the sleep surface of the mattress. Based on data generated by the sensor(s), the processor may also be programmed to determine a location of the individual on the sleep surface. Based on data generated by the at least one sensor, the processor may be programmed to determine an orientation of the individual on the sleep surface (e.g., whether the individual is in an inclined position, or a sitting position, on the sleep surface; whether the individual is in a reclined position, or a sleeping position, on the sleep surface; etc.). Programming of the processor may even enable it to identify the individual who is present on the sleep surface; a processor programmed in this manner may initiate the out-of-bed sequence in a manner that corresponds to an identity of the individual detected as present on the sleep surface and then detected as removed from, or having left or exited, the sleep surface.

In some embodiments, a determination of whether an individual has been removed from or left the sleep surface may be based on the individual's movement off of the sleep surface of the mattress (e.g., movement into proximity to a sensor, the application of pressure to a sensor, etc.) at location(s) where the individual would be expected to place one or more body parts (e.g., their legs, their body, their head, etc.) as they leave, or exit, the sleep surface. The detection of such movement or another activity, or the lack of movement or another activity, may provide an indication of whether an individual has gotten out of the bed.

In still other embodiments, a determination that an individual is likely to have left the sleep surface of the mattress may be based on a sequence of events detected by a group of sensors associated with the mattress. The sequence of events may comprise a sequence of events that ordinarily occurs when an individual “climbs out of bed” or a sequence of events that occurs as a particular individual (e.g., an individual who typically uses the smart bed, etc.) leaves the sleep surface. For example, a sensor at a location where an individual would be expected to rest their body and/or a sensor at a location where the individual would be expected to rest their legs may detect removal of the individual from a resting position or sleeping position on the sleep surface. Then, a sensor at an edge of the mattress (e.g., a sensor positioned over a rail of the mattress, on a side of a rail of the mattress, within a rail of the mattress, etc.) may detect an individual sitting or otherwise positioning themselves on an edge of the bed. The sensor at the edge of the mattress may then detect the absence of the individual from the edge of the bed (e.g. once the individual has walked away from or otherwise been removed from the edge of the bed).

Alternatively or additionally, after detecting the presence of the individual on the sleeping surface, one or more sensors may detect other activity associated with climbing out of bed, such as movement of the individual from the center of the sleeping surface towards the edge of the sleep surface, which may include sensing the movement of an individual based on the movement relative to the sensor, sensing movement in a manner that resembles movement of an individual's legs over the edge of the mattress, and the like.

The processor may be programmed to distinguish a sequence of events indicative of an individual assuming a resting position or sleeping position on the sleep surface and later removed from the sleep surface from other events, such as an individual merely sitting on the sleep surface, an individual moving over the sleep surface (e.g., a person crawling over the sleep surface, a child bouncing on the mattress, etc.), an animal on the sleep surface, an object placed on the sleep surface, etc.

Once the processor determines that an individual has likely left the sleep surface of the mattress, the processor may initiate an out-of-bed sequence. Initiation of the out-of-bed sequence may include automatically activating one or more functions of the mattress, the smart bed, and/or an environment in which the smart bed is located. A few nonlimiting examples of functions that may be activated as part of an out-of-bed sequence include adjusting an orientation of the mattress or a portion thereof, adjusting a firmness (or softness) of the mattress or a portion thereof (e.g., pressurization of a bladder within the mattress, etc.), ventilating the mattress or a portion thereof, adjusting temperature of the mattress or a portion thereof, de-actuating an anti-snore feature of the smart bed (e.g., its foundation, its mattress, etc.), brightening of lights or turning on lights in a room where the smart bed is located (e.g., a bedroom) and, optionally, elsewhere in the living space (i.e., outside the room where the smart bed is located), etc.

In addition to the mattress, the sensor(s), and the processor, a smart bed of this disclosure may include a transceiver, along with an associated antenna. The transceiver may be associated with the processor in a manner that enables the processor to communicate with a processor of a portable electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.). The processor of the portable electronic device may execute a smart bed control app, which may enable an individual to use the portable electronic device to control operation of the smart bed and/or devices in the environment in which the smart bed is located. The smart bed control app may initiate communication between the processor of the portable electronic device and the processor of the smart bed. Alternatively, the processor of the smart bed may be programmed to wake the portable electronic device as the smart bed (e.g., a sensor, etc., of the smart bed) detects the presence of the portable electronic device or the individual in close proximity to the mattress and/or detects the presence of an individual on the sleep surface of the mattress. The processor of the smart bed may then communicate with the processor of the portable electronic device in a manner that causes the processor of the portable electronic device to initiate execution of the smart bed control app.

In embodiments where the smart bed includes a foundation, the foundation may comprise an adjustable platform. The adjustable platform may include a plurality of support surfaces, at least one motor, and a processor. The plurality of support surfaces can carry the mattress of the smart bed. The at least one motor, under control of the processor, may move the plurality of support surfaces to desired orientations, which may move a mattress carried by the plurality of support surfaces to a desired arrangement. In addition, the adjustable platform may include a transceiver, along with an associated antenna. The transceiver may establish communication with the processor of the remainder of the smart bed (e.g., a processor carried by the mattress, etc.) and/or with a processor of a portable electronic device, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a smart watch, which may execute the smart bed control app. Such an arrangement may enable the smart bed control app to place the adjustable platform and a mattress carried by the adjustable platform into a desired arrangement when an individual leaves the sleep surface of the mattress.

In a method of this disclosure, a smart bed initiates an out-of-bed sequence. Such a method may include detecting a presence of an individual on a sleep surface of a mattress of the smart bed, detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, and upon detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, initiating at least one function of the smart bed and/or the environment of the smart bed.

In some embodiments, in addition to detecting the presence of an individual on the sleep surface, detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, and/or determining the location of the individual on the sleep surface, the method may include identifying the individual present on the sleep surface. In such embodiments, initiating the at least one function may comprise initiating the at least one function in a manner that corresponds to the identity of the individual detected as removed from the sleep surface.

The method may include establishing communication between a processor of the smart bed and a portable electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.), which may execute a smart bed control app. In embodiments where the method also includes identifying the individual present on the sleep surface, communication may be established between the processor of the smart bed and the portable electronic device of the individual present on the sleep surface. Communication between the processor of the smart bed and the portable electronic device may occur automatically upon detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface, and/or detecting the removal of the individual from the sleep surface. The app may enable an individual to terminate the out-of-bed sequence, to select one or more functions to be executed as part of the out-of-bed sequence, or to adjust one or more functions of a preprogrammed out-of-bed sequence.

The out-of-bed sequence may include initiating or terminating one or more functions of the smart bed, its mattress, or the sleep surface of the mattress. Such functions may include, but are not limited to, heating and/or cooling the sleep surface, ventilating at least a portion of the sleep surface, providing the mattress with a pre-set firmness (e.g., increasing pressure within the mattress to “puff” the mattress, etc.), an anti-snore feature of the smart bed (e.g., of its foundation, its mattress, etc.), adjusting an orientation of at least a portion of the mattress (e.g., flattening the mattress, which may enable an individual to make the bed; etc.), and turning on and/or off lighting features. Other functions of a smart bed may also be initiated or terminated.

In addition to initiating or terminating one or more functions of the smart bed, at least one function may be initiated or terminated in an environment in which the smart bed is located. Such a function may include adjusting lighting within the environment (e.g., brightening or turning on room lighting, turning off a nightlight, etc.), opening window blinds or shutters, adjusting a temperature within the environment, playing audio (e.g., music, audiobooks, news updates, sounds conducive to gentle wakefulness, etc.), disarming an alarm system of a building or unit in which the smart bed is located, determining and adjusting, as necessary, the status of any of various systems and/or devices (heating/air conditioning, lighting, media, appliances, garage doors, etc.) of the building or unit where the smart bed is located, and the like.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 provides a representation of an embodiment of a smart bed according to this disclosure;

FIG. 2 provides a top view of the embodiment of the smart bed shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional representation of the embodiment of the smart bed shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 provides a side view of an embodiment of an adjustable base of the embodiment of the smart bed shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for initiating an out-of-bed sequence of a smart bed; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method for initiating an out-of-bed sequence of a smart bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of a smart bed 10. The smart bed 10 includes a mattress 20, at least one sensor 40, a processor 50, and at least one transceiver 52 with an associated antenna (not shown). In addition, the smart bed 10 may include an adjustable foundation 60. In some configurations, a single sensor 40 is used, and in other configurations, two, three, four, or more sensors 40 are used.

The mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 may have any suitable shape and dimensions. 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 an 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 (FIG. 2).

Internally, the mattress 20 may include one or more pressurizable layers comprised of at least one air bladder 30. In some configurations, each pressurizable layer may include pressurizable sections 32, 34, 36 comprised of air bladders that may be pressurized independently of one another. Each pressurizable section 32, 34, 36 of the pressurizable layer may be located within a corresponding section 32′, 34′, 36′ of the mattress 20 and, thus, render the corresponding sections 32′, 34′, 36′ of the mattress 20 independently pressurizable from each other. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/682,649, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein, discloses a type of pressurizable layer that may be included in the mattress 20. The interior of the air bladder(s) 30 may be in fluid communication with a pump 44 to pressurize the air bladder(s) 30.

The layers of the mattress 20 may include an extra space may define a receptacle to receive the pump 44 and any associated equipment (e.g., one or more pumps, controls, hoses, corresponding supports, an overlying cushioning element, etc.). Thus, the pump 44 and associated controls (e.g., an air pump, a ventilation pump, etc.), may reside within the body of the mattress 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the receptacle may extend along a foot portion 28 of the smart bed 10 to hold the pump 44 in the foot end of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10. In other embodiments, the pump 44 is located externally or outside the mattress 20.

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 30 (e.g., air bladders/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 each of the foregoing patents are hereby incorporated herein), or a mattress that includes any combination of these and/or other features.

The smart bed 10 includes at least one sensor 40E, 40L, 40T (each of which may also be referred to as “sensor 40”. The sensor(s) 40 may be carried by the mattress 20. Without limitation, sensor(s) 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 of the mattress 20 in a manner that enables the sensor 40 to detect activity occurring on a sleep surface 24 of the mattress. 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 an optional cover (not shown) being placed over the recess or receptacle. In other embodiments, the sensor 40 may be incorporated into a cover or positioned between the cover and internal components (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. The sensor(s) 40 may be used to monitor the presence of an individual on the sleep surface 24, and/or the individual's movement on the sleep surface 24 (e.g., motion, position on the sleep surface 24, etc.), and/or the individual's movement off of the sleep surface 24. In a specific embodiment, the sensor(s) 40 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.). 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, thoracic sensor 40T and leg sensor 40L are 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 size, 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.

In the illustrated embodiment of mattress 20, ambient environment sensor 40E is shown at a location where an individual is expected to pass or cross over as they leave, or exit, the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20. For example, an ambient environment sensor 40E may be located near an edge 25 of the sleep surface 24, such as the edge 25 of the sleep surface 24 or the edge 23 of the mattress 20 in the intermediate portion 27 of the mattress 20. In other embodiments, multiple ambient environment sensors 40E are placed at predetermined intervals along the edge 23 of the mattress 20 from the head portion 26 to the foot portion 28. In other embodiments, ambient environment sensors 40E are not provided, and sensors on the sleep surface 24 are used alone to detect the presence of an individual on the sleep surface 24 and/or to detect the removal of the individual from the sleep surface 24.

The processor 50 may comprise one or more processing elements of a suitable type. In some embodiments, the processor 50 may comprise one or more microcontrollers, which may execute embedded program(s) (e.g., firmware) to control one or more dedicated functions. The processor 50 may be carried by the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 (e.g., internally, adjacent to a foot edge 23f of the mattress 20; etc.), by the foundation 60 of the smart bed 10, or elsewhere.

Activity detected by the sensor(s) 40 may be communicated to the processor 50. The processor 50 may execute a program to determine whether the data from the sensor(s) 40 indicates that an individual has assumed a resting position or a sleeping position on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20, and/or whether the data from the sensor(s) 40 comprises a sequence of events indicative of an individual leaving the smart bed 10 or climbing out of the smart bed 10 to arise. If the processor 50 determines that an individual has assumed a resting position or a sleeping position on the sleep surface 24, and then leaves the sleep surface 24, the processor 50 may then execute one or more programs that affect a state of the mattress 20, the smart bed 10 of which the mattress 20 is a part, and/or the environment in which the smart bed 10 is located. Execution of the one or more programs by the processor 50 may be referred to as execution of an “out-of-bed sequence” by the processor 50.

In one configuration, the processor 50 may receive the data from the sensor(s) 40 indicating a sequence of elemental motions of the individual on the sleep surface 24. The processor 50 may compare the sequence of elemental motions to a stored library of sequences of elemental motions to determine the state of the individual (e.g., sequences of elemental motions that indicate rolling over in sleep, tossing or turning in sleep, or getting out of bed, etc.). The processor 50 can also execute a program or app (e.g., a smart bed control app, etc.) that includes machine learning to further refine the stored library of sequences of elemental motions and accurately classify the sequences as associated with an in-bed state of the individual or an out-of-bed state of the individual.

In addition to the mattress 20, the sensor(s) 40, and the processor 50, a smart bed 10 of this disclosure may include a transceiver 52. The transceiver 52 may be associated with the processor 50 in a manner that enables the processor 50 to communicate with a processor 72 of a portable electronic device 70 (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.) or another device. Without limitation, the transceiver 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, or the like, along with an associated antenna. The transceiver 52 may be carried by the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10, by the foundation 60 of the smart bed 10, or elsewhere. In some embodiments, the transceiver 52 may be associated with (e.g., located adjacent to, packaged with, etc.) the processor 50 of the smart bed 10.

A processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 may execute a smart bed control app, which may enable an individual to use the portable electronic device 70 to control operation of the smart bed 10 and/or devices in the environment in which the smart bed 10 is located. The smart bed control app may initiate communication between the processor 72 of the portable electronic device 70 and the processor 50 of the smart bed 10 (by way of a transceiver 74 of the portable electronic device 70 and the transceiver 52 of the smart bed 10). Alternatively, the processor 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 processor 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.

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 (e.g., the Purple® Ascent Base™ adjustable platform, available from Purple Innovation, LLC, of Lehi, Utah, etc.). Such a foundation 60 may include a processor 62, which may control movement of one or more adjustable sections 61H, 61I, 61F of a platform 61 that carries the mattress 20. In addition, such a foundation 60 may include a transceiver 64 (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. The transceiver 64 may receive signals from the processor 50 of the smart bed 10 (by way of the transceiver 52 and the antennas associated with the transceivers 52 and 64) and/or a processor 72 of a portable electronic device 70 (by way of a transceiver 74 of the portable electronic device 70 and antennas associated with the transceivers 52 and 74) that may cause the processor 62 of the foundation 60 to move one or more sections 61A, 61I, 61F of the platform 61 of the foundation 60 in a desired manner (e.g., to move the mattress 20 or a portion thereof to a desired orientation, to operate an anti-snore feature of the foundation 60, etc.). In other embodiments, the foundation 60 may comprise a stationary foundation (e.g., a platform style bed frame, a conventional bed frame and box spring, etc.).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of an embodiment of a method 100 of initiating an out-of-bed sequence on a smart bed 10, such as that depicted by FIGS. 1-4. The method 100 may include detecting the presence of an individual on the sleep surface 24 (FIGS. 1-4) of a mattress 20 (FIGS. 1-4) of the smart bed 10, at reference 110, detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface 24, at reference 120, and initiating an out-of-bed sequence, at reference 130.

The processor 50 may be programmed to distinguish the presence of an individual on the sleep surface 24 in a resting position or a sleeping position and/or a sequence of events indicative of an individual's removal from or leaving the sleep surface 24 from other events. Some examples of such an event include an individual merely sitting on the sleep surface 24, an individual moving over the sleep surface 24 (e.g., a person moving next to, onto, or on the edge 23 or sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 while making the bed, a person crawling over the sleep surface 24, a child bouncing on the mattress 20, etc.). Another example of such an event is an animal on the sleep surface 24, or another object (e.g., an object detectable by one or more sensors 40) on the sleep surface 24.

Detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface may involve detecting and interpreting a series of motions across the sensor(s) 40. For example, one or more sensors 40 on the sleep surface 24 may first detect the absence of the individual from the sleep surface 24 where the individual would be expected to rest their body (e.g., the head portion 26 of the mattress 20, the intermediate portion 27 of the mattress 20, etc.). A sensor 40L at a location where the individual would be expected to rest their legs (e.g., the foot portion 28 of the mattress 20, etc.) may also detect the individual moving their legs from the resting position or sleeping position on the sleep surface 24. As the sensor(s) 40 detects such activity, it may “wake” the processor 50 by communicating data regarding such activity to the processor 50. Next, an ambient environment sensor 40E at the edge 23 of the mattress 20 may detect an individual passing by the sensor 40E and/or moving away from the sensor 40E as the individual walks away from the bed.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more sensors 40E, 40T, 40L may detect other activity associated with an individual getting out of bed, such as a sequence of elemental movements from the center of the sleep surface 24 towards an edge 25 of the sleep surface, movement in a manner that resembles extension of an individual's legs toward the foot portion 28 of the sleep surface 24, and the like.

With returned reference to FIG. 5, upon determining that an individual is present on the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 (at reference 110) and determining removal of the individual from the sleep surface 24 (at reference 120), the processor 50 may initiate an out-of-bed sequence (at reference 130). In some embodiments, the processor 50 may communicate with a smart bed control app of a portable electronic device 70 (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc.), which may cause the portable electronic device 70 to alert the individual that the processor 50 is about to initiate a out-of-bed sequence and optionally provide the individual with an opportunity to prevent the processor 50 from initiating the out-of-bed sequence.

Once the processor 50 initiates the out-of-bed sequence, the out-of-bed sequence may affect the mattress 20, the smart bed 10 of which the mattress 20 is a part, and/or the environment in which the smart bed 10 is located. The out-of-bed sequence may include either shutting down or initiating at least one function associated with the sleep surface 24 or a portion of the sleep surface 24 on which the individual is located, such as: deactivating a heating and/or cooling function of the sleep surface 24; terminating ventilation of at least a portion of the sleep surface 24 (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 11,311,111, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein); deactivating a pre-set firmness of the mattress (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,139, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein); increasing pressure within the mattress 20, or “puffing” the mattress 20; deactivating an anti-snore feature of the smart bed 10 (e.g., of its foundation 60, its mattress 20, etc.); adjusting an orientation of at least a portion of the mattress 20 (e.g., with the foundation 60, etc.); and turning on and/or off lighting features of the smart bed 10. Other functions of the smart bed 10 may also be shut off or initiated as desired when the user leaves, or exits, the sleep surface 24 of the mattress of the smart bed 10. The out-of-bed sequence may be designed to save energy when the user is not in smart bed. In some embodiments, the out-of-bed sequence deactivates or shuts off energy consuming features of the smart bed 10 when the smart bed 10 is not in use.

In one embodiment, the processor 50 may be programmed to take specific acts to adjust the pressure in the air bladder(s) during the out-of-bed sequence. In one configuration the processor 50 may be programmed to cause the at least one pump 44 to increase a pressure in the at least one air bladder 30 to render the sleep surface 24 planar or in a convex orientation. Or the processor 50 may be programmed to cause the at least one pump 44 to increase a pressure in the air bladder(s) 30 to puff the mattress. These acts can ensure that the mattress 20 has a full and even appearance when it is not in use.

In addition to shutting off and/or initiating one or more functions of the smart bed 10, at least one function in an environment in which the smart bed 10 is located may be initiated and/or shut-off. Such a function may include adjusting lighting within the environment (e.g., brightening or turning on room lighting, turning off a nightlight, etc.), opening window blinds or shutters, adjusting a temperature within the environment, playing audio (e.g., music, news broadcasts, audio books, sounds conducive to gentle wakefulness, etc.), deactivating an alarm system of a building or unit in which the smart bed 10 is located, determining and adjusting, as necessary, the status of any of various systems and/or devices (heating/air conditioning, lighting, media, appliances, garage doors, etc.) of the building or unit where the smart bed 10 is located, and the like. In some embodiments, the out-of-bed sequence may be designed for safety of the individuals who use the smart bed 10, and includes acts such as turning on lighting to ensure the individual can see their environment when the individual leaves the smart bed 10.

In some embodiments, the out-of-bed sequence may have a predetermined waiting period before initiation, such that it detects the absence of the individual from the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 for a predetermined duration of time before initiating the out-of-bed sequence. In other embodiments, certain features of the out-of-bed sequence can be initiated immediately, while other features of the out-of-bed sequence are initiated after a predetermined duration of time. For example, environmental lighting to ensure the individual can see when they leave the smart bed 10 can be initiated immediately, while other acts such as causing the pump 44 to adjust the pressure in the air bladder(s) 30 can be taken after a predetermined duration of time has passed.

In one embodiment, the out-of-bed sequence may have a predetermined sequence at different times of the day and/or night. For example, when the processor 50 of the smart bed 10 detects (by way of the sensor(s) 40) the removal of the individual from the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10, the processor 50 may also query the time of day. If the processor 50 determines that the time is during a standard or predetermined sleep period, a “sleeping period” out-of-bed sequence may be initiated. In one embodiment, this includes the turning on at least one light, such as a nightlight, etc., to ensure the individual who left the sleep surface 24 can safely see their environment. This type of out-of-bed sequence can be helpful if the individual is getting out of bed merely to use the bathroom or get a drink of water and will return promptly to the bed.

If the processor 50 queries the time of day and determines that the time is during a wake-up period, a “waking period” out-of-bed sequence may be initiated. In one embodiment, this includes adjusting the pressure of the air bladder(s) 30 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 in a manner that places the mattress 20 in an out-of-bed state.

In another embodiment, the processor 50 is programmed to detect the absence of the individual from the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 for a predetermined duration of time before initiating an out-of-bed sequence. This can prevent the smart bed 10 from making adjustments when the individual is going to return to the mattress 20 in a short period of time (such as a night waking for a drink of water, etc.). In yet another embodiment, the processor 50 is programmed to identify the individual present in the bed, and when the identified individual leaves the bed, initiate an out-of-bed sequence that is unique to that individual.

With reference to FIG. 6, a diagram illustrates the flow of an embodiment of a method 200 of initiating an out-of-bed sequence that is unique to a particular individual. The method 200 may include determining whether an individual has assumed a resting position or a sleeping position on the sleep surface 24 (FIGS. 1-4) of a mattress 20 (FIGS. 1-4) of the smart bed 10, at reference 210. The illustrated method also includes optionally identifying the individual on the sleep surface 24, at reference 215, as either a first individual or a second individual. The first individual and the second individual may be persons who are typically associated with use of the smart bed 10, such as a couple.

The method then includes two functions performed by the processor 50: detecting removal of the first individual from the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 (FIGS. 1-3) at reference 220a and detecting removal of the second individual from the sleep surface 24 at reference 220b. After detecting removal of one or more individuals from the sleep surface 24, the method includes optionally waiting a predetermined amount of time, at reference 225a, 225b, and then detecting whether the individual is still removed from the sleep surface 24 at reference 227a, 227b. If the individual is still detected as removed from the sleep surface 24, the method may include initiating an out-of-bed sequence that is unique to the particular individual at reference 230a, 230b. If another individual still remains in bed, or on the sleep surface 24, at least a part of the out-of-bed sequence for the individual who has left the sleep surface 24 may be delayed until every individual has been removed from or left the sleep surface 24 (e.g., so as not to disturb anyone who is still trying to sleep or rest, etc.). Additionally, the specific out-of-bed sequence can be selected and/or programmed by an individual, such as by using a portable electronic device 70 with a smart bed control app that can cause the processor 50 to transmit instructions from the portable electronic device 70 to the processor 50 of the smart bed 10 and/or the processor 62 of the foundation 60 (by way of wireless transceivers 74 and 52 and/or 64 and their associated antennas).

The processor 50 can also be programmed to adjust the adjustable foundation 60 of the smart bed 10 during the out-of-bed sequence. In one configuration, the processor 50, on detecting the absence of the individual from the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10, causes at least one motor 65 and associated controller 66 (e.g., a piston, a control arm, etc.) of the adjustable foundation 60 to place the adjustable foundation 60 and the mattress 20 into a flat arrangement.

The processor 50 can also be programmed to return the mattress 20 of the smart bed 10 to an in-bed or sleeping state after the processor 50 has initiated an out-of-bed sequence. For example, after detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface 24 of the mattress 20 and causing the at least one pump 44 to adjust the pressure within the at least one air bladder 30, the processor 50 can then detect a presence of the individual on the sleep surface 24. In response to detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface 24 again, the processor 50 can cause the pump 44 to readjust the pressure within the air bladder(s) 30 to place the mattress 20 into a sleeping state. Similarly, the processor 50, in response to detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface 24, may cause the motor 65 and controllers 66 of the adjustable foundation 60 to readjust the platform 61 of the adjustable foundation 60 to place the platform 61 and the mattress 20 in the sleep state.

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.

Claims

1. A smart bed, comprising:

a mattress including at least one air bladder and at least one pump that communicates with an interior of the at least one air bladder to pressurize the at least one air bladder, the mattress defining a sleep surface;

a pressure sensor associated with the sleep surface of the mattress;

a processor in communication with the pressure sensor and the pump, the processor programmed to: detect a presence of an individual on the sleep surface; detect removal of the individual from the sleep surface; and upon detecting the removal of the individual from the sleep surface, cause the pump to adjust a pressure in the at least one air bladder in a manner that places the mattress in an out-of-bed state.

2. The smart bed of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

following removal of the individual from the sleep surface, detect an absence of the individual from the sleep surface for a predetermined duration of time before causing the pump to adjust the pressure in the at least one air bladder.

3. The smart bed of claim 1, wherein the processor, upon detecting the removal of the individual from the sleep surface, causes the at least one pump to increase a pressure in the at least one air bladder to render the sleep surface planar or convex.

4. The smart bed of claim 1, wherein the processor, upon detecting the removal of the individual from the sleep surface, causes the at least one pump to increase a pressure in the at least one air bladder to puff the mattress.

5. The smart bed of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustable base carrying the mattress; and

at least one motor associated with the adjustable base in a manner that enables adjustment of the adjustable base.

6. The smart bed of claim 5, wherein the processor, upon detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, causes the motor to place the adjustable base and the mattress into flat arrangements.

7. The smart bed of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

after detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface and causing the at least one pump to adjust the pressure within the at least one air bladder, detect a presence of the individual on the sleep surface; and

upon detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface, cause the at least one pump to readjust the pressure within the at least one air bladder to place the smart bed in a sleep state.

8. A smart bed, comprising:

an adjustable base;

a motor associated with the adjustable base in a manner that enables adjustment of the adjustable base;

a mattress carried by the adjustable base and including at least one air bladder and a pump that communicates with an interior of the at least one air bladder to pressurize the at least one air bladder, the mattress defining a sleep surface;

a pressure sensor associated with the sleep surface of the mattress;

a processor in communication with the pressure sensor and the pump, the processor programmed to:

detect a presence of an individual on the sleep surface;

detect removal of the individual from the sleep surface; and

upon detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, cause the pump to adjust a pressure in the at least one air bladder and cause the motor to adjust the adjustable base to place the mattress in an out-of-bed state.

9. The smart bed of claim 8, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

following removal of the individual from the sleep surface, detect an absence of the individual from the sleep surface for a predetermined duration of time before causing the pump to adjust the pressure in the at least one air bladder and before causing the motor to adjust the adjustable base.

10. The smart bed of claim 8, wherein the out-of-bed state includes planar or convex orientation of the sleep surface of the mattress.

11. The smart bed of claim 8, wherein the processor, upon detecting the removal of the individual from the sleep surface, causes the pump to increase a pressure in the at least one air bladder to puff the mattress.

12. The smart bed of claim 8, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

after detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface and causing the pump to adjust the pressure within the at least one air bladder, detect a presence of the individual on the sleep surface; and

upon detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface, cause the pump to readjust the pressure within the at least one air bladder to place the smart bed in a sleep state.

13. The smart bed of claim 12, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

upon detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface, cause the motor to readjust the adjustable base to further place the adjustable base and the mattress in the sleep state.

14. A method for placing a mattress of a smart bed in an out-of-bed state, comprising:

detecting removal of an individual from a sleep surface of the mattress; and

upon detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, adjusting a pressure within at least one air bladder of the mattress to place the mattress in an out of bed state.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

following removal of the individual from the sleep surface, detecting an absence of the individual from the sleep surface for a predetermined duration of time before adjusting the pressure within the at least one air bladder of the mattress.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the pressure within the at least one air bladder comprises increasing a pressure within the at least one air bladder.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the pressure within the at least one air bladder comprises puffing the mattress.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

upon detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface, flattening an adjustable base that carries the mattress.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

after detecting removal of the individual from the sleep surface and adjusting the pressure within the at least one air bladder, detecting a presence of the individual on the sleep surface; and

upon detecting the presence of the individual on the sleep surface, readjusting the pressure within the at least one air bladder to place the smart bed in a sleep state.

20. The method of claim 14, comprising continuously periodically monitoring a presence or absence of the individual from the sleep surface.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting removal of an individual from a sleep surface of the mattress comprises identifying each elemental motion of a sequence of elemental motions of the individual, each elemental motion detected by a sensor attached to the sleep surface of the mattress; and

identifying a state of the individual as either in bed or out-of-bed, and wherein identifying the state of the individual comprises matching the sequence of identified elemental motions of the individual with a library of stored sequences of elemental motions, wherein each stored sequence of elemental motions corresponds with either an in-bed or an out-of-bed state.