Abstract: A mattress topper for providing improved comfort to a sleeper comprises a pressure distribution layer defining an interior volume. The pressure distribution layer has substantially air-impermeable side walls and a substantially air-impermeable base, and a top surface having at least a region that is air permeable. Support material is contained within the interior volume. The mattress topper includes at least one electrically powered air circulation device for drawing air into the interior volume of the pressure distribution layer via at least one air inlet port. A lateral air-flow layer is disposed above the pressure distribution layer and is configured to provide substantially unimpeded air flow both upwardly and laterally.

Abstract: A mattress topper for providing improved comfort to a sleeper comprises a pressure distribution layer defining an interior volume. The pressure distribution layer has substantially air-impermeable side walls and a substantially air-impermeable base, and a top surface having at least a region that is air permeable. Support material is contained within the interior volume. The mattress topper includes at least one electrically powered air circulation device for drawing air into the interior volume of the pressure distribution layer via at least one air inlet port. A lateral air-flow layer is disposed above the pressure distribution layer and is configured to provide substantially unimpeded air flow both upwardly and laterally.

Abstract: A high sensitivity monochrome image sensor optically coupled to receive a first sub-beam having a first light intensity produces a plurality of monochrome image pixels representative of an imaged object. A color image sensor optically coupled to receive a second sub-beam having a second light intensity produces a plurality of color image pixels representative of the imaged object. The monochrome sensor has a higher sensitivity than the color sensor. The first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity (i.e., the ratio of the first sub-beam's light intensity to that of the second sub-beam is between about 70:30 and 80:20). Separate control circuits are provided for each sensor, allowing each sensor to be operated selectably independently of the other.