Abstract: A bed includes an electronic controller comprising a first interface to monitor at least one sensor and a second interface to control at least one actuator; and an adjustable surface configured to be at least partially adjusted by the at least one actuator. The at least one sensor is configured, at least during some time intervals, to detect a momentary application of force by a bed occupant to at least one location on the adjustable surface; and the electronic controller interprets a defined sequence of momentary applications of force to the at least one location on the adjustable surface as one of a set of defined coded commands from the bed occupant, the set of defined coded commands each indicating the bed occupant desires one of a set of defined actions by the electronic controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of a hair cutting device for use with automated hair cutting systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hair cutting device comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutter head is attached to the distal end of the body, the cutter head configured for manipulating and cutting hair. The hair cutting device further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the body for sensing a position of the cutter head relative to a user's head.

Abstract: A cutter head for use with automated hair cutting systems are provided. The cutter head comprises a coupling apparatus for attaching the cutter head to an automated hair cutting device; a top comb comprising a plurality of top cutting members; a bottom comb comprising a plurality of bottom cutting members; and a control apparatus having a plurality of control modes for controlling movement of the top and bottom cutting members.

Abstract: An electronically controlled slat bed includes a bed frame; slats together at least partially forming a base for a sleeping surface; struts coupled to the slats, and each strut coupled to said bed frame; jackscrews, each coupled to at least one strut to adjust the coupled strut; flexible apparatuses coupled to one of said jackscrews; a gantry coupled to said bed frame, the gantry having an electric motor; and a sensor; the motor is to engage and rotate the jackscrews; and said sensor is to provide a measurement of a deflection of the flexible apparatuses; and an electronic controller, having an input to receive signals from the sensor; and one or more outputs to control said electric motor; said electronic controller performs computations at least partially responsive to said measurement of the deflection of said flexible apparatuses and modifies the shape of said base for the sleeping surface by rotating one or more of the plurality of jackscrews; and the deflection of one of the flexible apparatuses is resp

Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically cutting hair are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an automated system for cutting hair on a subject comprises a hair cutting device, configured for manual manipulation, the hair cutting device comprising a cutting mechanism and configured to engage the cutting mechanism to cut said hair. The automated system interacts with the hair cutting device for determining a position of the hair cutting device relative to the subject.

Abstract: An automated hair cutting system includes a hair cutting device having a cutter head, the hair cutting device being configured to cut hair extending from a surface of a head of a user of the automated hair cutting system; a positioning sensor attached to the hair cutting device; a positioning device having a structure, the structure is configured to secure to the surface of the head of the user; and a positioning interface attached to the positioning device structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of automated hair cutting systems and user interfaces for use therewith are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an automated hair cutting system comprises a hair cutting device, the hair cutting device comprising a cutter head and at least one sensor, the sensor configured for determining orientation of the hair cutting device; a user interface for providing information to and receiving input from a user, wherein at least one input received from the user is a desired hair style; components configured for measuring hair thickness; components configured for mapping a user's head configuration and determining hair orientation; and a processor configured to prepare a hair cutting algorithm for the automated hair cutting system based on input received from the user, the at least one sensor, and one or more components configured for mapping at least one of a user's head configuration, hair thickness, and hair orientation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically cutting hair are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an automated system for cutting hair on a subject comprises a hair cutting device, configured for manual manipulation, the hair cutting device comprising a cutting mechanism and configured to engage the cutting mechanism to cut said hair. The automated system interacts with the hair cutting device for determining a position of the hair cutting device relative to the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of positioning systems and methods for use with grooming systems are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a grooming system comprises a moveable grooming device; a positioning device, and a system interface for determining positioning of the moveable grooming device relative to the positioning device. The positioning device comprises a frame having a front, a first side, and a second side; a plurality of frame supports; and a plurality of positioning interfaces. The moveable grooming device comprises at least one sensor for interfacing with the plurality of positioning interfaces. The system interface is configured to interface the plurality of positioning interfaces with the at least one positioning sensor to establish an origin position of the at least one sensor and moveable grooming device; compute a plurality of positioning ranges; and select at least two positioning ranges for calibrating one or more positions of the moveable grooming device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of beds and components thereof. In one embodiment, a bed comprises a frame; a plurality of adjustable members, each coupled to the frame, and each of the plurality of adjustable members adjustable to individual positions; one or more sensors coupled to one or more of the adjustable members; and a controller, the controller configured for receiving input from the one or more sensors and determining at least one adjusted sleep setting for the occupant. The controller is further configured to control the plurality of adjustable members and adjust each of the plurality of adjustable members according to the at least one adjusted sleep setting. The adjustable members may comprise struts, slats, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically cutting hair are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an automated system for cutting hair on a subject comprises a hair cutting device, configured for manual manipulation, the hair cutting device comprising a cutting mechanism and configured to engage the cutting mechanism to cut said hair. The automated system also comprises a positioning device coupled to the subject, the positioning device configured to interact with the cutting device for determining a position of the hair cutting device relative to the subject.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a frame having at least a front frame and one or more side frames; and a plurality of positioning interfaces, the positioning interfaces configured to at least one of transmit signals and receive signals, the signals being configured to at least partially determine at least one of position and orientation of a hair cutting device, the plurality of positioning interfaces positioned at various intervals about the frame. The front frame includes at least one structural feature designed to contact at least one feature of a user's face, and the front frame extends at least partially across said user's face.

Abstract: Various aspects of automated grooming systems and cutting devices are disclosed. One embodiment of an automated grooming system comprises a computing device; a cutting device comprising a handle having a proximal and distal end and a cutting head positioned near the distal end of the handle; and a plurality of positioning sensors configured to send signals to the computing device relaying the position of the cutting head relative to a surface having hair extending therefrom. The computing device may be configured to receive the signals from the positioning device and prepare instructions for actuation of the cutting device. In some embodiments, the cutting device comprises a processor configured to receive the prepared instructions from the computing device and actuate the cutting device according to the prepared instructions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of beds and components thereof. In one embodiment, a bed comprises a frame; a plurality of adjustable members, each coupled to the frame, and each of the plurality of adjustable members adjustable to individual positions; one or more sensors coupled to one or more of the adjustable members; and a controller, the controller configured for receiving input from the one or more sensors and determining at least one adjusted sleep setting for the occupant. The controller is further configured to control the plurality of adjustable members and adjust each of the plurality of adjustable members according to the at least one adjusted sleep setting. The adjustable members may comprise struts, slats, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of automated hair cutting systems and user interfaces for use therewith are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an automated hair cutting system comprises a hair cutting device, the hair cutting device comprising a cutter head and at least one sensor, the sensor configured for determining orientation of the hair cutting device; a user interface for providing information to and receiving input from a user, wherein at least one input received from the user is a desired hair style; components configured for measuring hair thickness; components configured for mapping a user's head configuration and determining hair orientation; and a processor configured to prepare a hair cutting algorithm for the automated hair cutting system based on input received from the user, the at least one sensor, and one or more components configured for mapping at least one of a user's head configuration, hair thickness, and hair orientation.

Abstract: Various aspects of automated grooming systems and cutting devices are disclosed. One embodiment of an automated grooming system comprises a computing device; a cutting device comprising a handle having a proximal and distal end and a cutting head positioned near the distal end of the handle; and a plurality of positioning sensors configured to send signals to the computing device relaying the position of the cutting head relative to a surface having hair extending therefrom. The computing device may be configured to receive the signals from the positioning device and prepare instructions for actuation of the cutting device. In some embodiments, the cutting device comprises a processor configured to receive the prepared instructions from the computing device and actuate the cutting device according to the prepared instructions.

Abstract: Embodiments of positioning systems and methods for use with grooming systems are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a grooming system comprises a moveable grooming device; a positioning device, and a system interface for determining positioning of the moveable grooming device relative to the positioning device. The positioning device comprises a frame having a front, a first side, and a second side; a plurality of frame supports; and a plurality of positioning interfaces. The moveable grooming device comprises at least one sensor for interfacing with the plurality of positioning interfaces. The system interface is configured to interface the plurality of positioning interfaces with the at least one positioning sensor to establish an origin position of the at least one sensor and moveable grooming device; compute a plurality of positioning ranges; and select at least two positioning ranges for calibrating one or more positions of the moveable grooming device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of positioning devices and methods for use with an automated hair cutting system. The positioning devices comprise a frame, the frame comprising at least a front frame and one or more side frames; and a plurality of positioning interfaces, the positioning interfaces configured to at least one of transmit signals and receive signals, said signals for at least partially determining at least one of position and orientation of a hair cutting device, the plurality of positioning interfaces positioned at various intervals about the frame. The front frame comprises at least one structural feature designed to contact at least one feature of a user's face, and wherein said front frame extends at least partially across said user's face.

Abstract: Embodiments of a hair cutting device for use with automated hair cutting systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hair cutting device comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutter head is attached to the distal end of the body, the cutter head configured for manipulating and cutting hair. The hair cutting device further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the body for sensing a position of the cutter head relative to a user's head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an automated hair cutting system. The system comprises a hair cutting device; at least one sensor, said sensor providing signals utilized by said automated hair cutting system to compute a position of said hair cutting device relative to a user's head and face; and a control system for actuating a cutter head attached to said hair cutting device, said cutter head configured for collecting hair therein during operation of said hair cutting device and thereafter cutting the collected hair according to the user's selected hair length and hair style. The control system may execute a safety sequence for initiating the hair cutting device comprising multiple pre-defined safety verifications before beginning operation of the hair cutting device.