Abstract: Measured sleep alarm signaling is provided which activates an alarm in a manner that allows a user to get a predetermined amount of measured sleep, rather than just awakening the person at a specific time, or when the person has been in the bed for a certain amount of time. A method for awakening a person includes: setting a desired amount of actual sleep time; receiving measurement signals relating to the person's state of sleep over time; determining, using the received measurement signals, an actual sleep time indicating an amount of time that the person has actually slept; determining whether the actual sleep time is greater than or equal to the desired amount of actual sleep time, as a first determination result; and initiating an alarm for awakening the person using the first determination result.

Abstract: A method of testing a sleep support member, the method including: identifying the sleep support member; determining a tested comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member before the identified sleep support member is provided to a customer; and determining whether the tested comfort/support value is within a predetermined tolerance level of a goal comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member. An apparatus for testing a sleep support member, the apparatus including: an identification unit configured to identify the sleep support member; a comfort/support testing unit configured to determine a tested comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member before the identified sleep support member is provided to a customer; and an analysis unit configured to determine whether the tested comfort/support value is within a predetermined tolerance level of a goal comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control wait configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control unit configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.

Abstract: Measured sleep alarm signaling is provided which activates an alarm in a manner that allows a user to get a predetermined amount of measured sleep, rather than just awakening the person at a specific time, or when the person has been in the bed for a certain amount of time. A method for awakening a person includes: setting a desired amount of actual sleep time; receiving measurement signals relating to the person's state of sleep over time; determining, using the received measurement signals, an actual sleep time indicating an amount of time that the person has actually slept; determining whether the actual sleep time is greater than or equal to the desired amount of actual sleep time, as a first determination result; and initiating an alarm for awakening the person using the first determination result.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a sleep support member. A system including at least one pressing structure, wherein the at least one pressing structure includes at least one of a heater and a moisture device; and a controller configured to control pressing of the pressing structure onto the sleep support member, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of heat provided by the heater and moisture provided by the moisture device. A method including controlling pressing of at least one pressing structure onto a sleep support member, wherein the at least one pressing structure includes at least one of a heater and a moisture device; and controlling at least one of heat provided by the heater and moisture provided by the moisture device.

Abstract: A system for controlling a bedroom environment includes an environmental data collector configured to collect environmental data relating to the bedroom environment; a sleep data collector configured to collect sleep data relating to a person's state of sleep; an analysis unit configured to analyze the collected environmental data and the collected sleep data and to determine an adjustment of the bedroom environment that promotes sleep of the person; and a controller configured to effect the adjustment of the bedroom environment. A method for controlling a bedroom environment includes collecting environmental data relating to the bedroom environment; collecting sleep data relating to a person's state of sleep; analyzing the collected environmental data and the collected sleep data; determining an adjustment to the bedroom environment that promotes sleep; and communicating the adjustment to a device that effects the bedroom environment.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a person for a sleep system, the method including: while the person is not positioned on an evaluating member, adjusting a pressure of a comfort layer inflatable member disposed within a comfort layer of the evaluating member to an initial comfort value; positioning the person on the evaluating member in a first position; while the person is positioned on the evaluating member in the first position, measuring a pressure of the comfort layer inflatable member as a first measured comfort value; calculating a difference between the first measured comfort value and the initial comfort value as comfort pressure 1; calculating a first optimal pressure level for the comfort layer inflatable member using comfort pressure 1; and recommending a sleep support member for the person using the calculated first optimal pressure level for the comfort layer inflatable member and using data measuring quality of sleep.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control unit configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.

Abstract: An adjustable head support apparatus includes an adjustable head support member including one or more inflatable members; and an encasement layer configured to encase the one or more inflatable members. The adjustable head support apparatus further includes a measurement unit configured to provide measurements relating to a pressure of the one or more inflatable members; an analysis unit configured to determine goal characteristics of the adjustable head support member for a person using the measurements relating to the pressure of the one or more inflatable members; and a control unit configured to control adjustments to pressure of the one or more inflatable members using the determined goal characteristics.

Abstract: Alarm apparatuses and methods for awakening a person are provided, the apparatus including a data analysis unit; an input unit; and an alarm control unit; wherein the data analysis unit is configured to analyze data related to a state of sleep of a person; wherein the input unit is configured to input data related to a desired awaken period within which the person desires to be awakened; and wherein the alarm control unit is configured to control an alarm for awakening the person using information from the data analysis unit.

Abstract: A method of testing a sleep support member, the method including: identifying the sleep support member; determining a tested comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member before the identified sleep support member is provided to a customer; and determining whether the tested comfort/support value is within a predetermined tolerance level of a goal comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member. An apparatus for testing a sleep support member, the apparatus including: an identification unit configured to identify the sleep support member; a comfort/support testing unit configured to determine a tested comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member before the identified sleep support member is provided to a customer; and an analysis unit configured to determine whether the tested comfort/support value is within a predetermined tolerance level of a goal comfort/support value for the identified sleep support member.

Abstract: A sleep support member and a method for recommending a sleep support member to a person. The sleep support member includes: a support layer including a plurality of support zones; and a comfort layer including a plurality of comfort zones, wherein the comfort layer is disposed above the support layer. Each of the support zones is configured to provide customized support characteristics to a corresponding region of a person's body and each of the comfort zones is configured to provide customized comfort characteristics to a corresponding region of the person's body.

Abstract: A system for controlling a bedroom environment includes an environmental data collector configured to collect environmental data relating to the bedroom environment; a sleep data collector configured to collect sleep data relating to a person's state of sleep; an analysis unit configured to analyze the collected environmental data and the collected sleep data and to determine an adjustment of the bedroom environment that promotes sleep of the person; and a controller configured to effect the adjustment of the bedroom environment. A method for controlling a bedroom environment includes collecting environmental data relating to the bedroom environment; collecting sleep data relating to a person's state of sleep; analyzing the collected environmental data and the collected sleep data; determining an adjustment to the bedroom environment that promotes sleep; and communicating the adjustment to a device that effects the bedroom environment.

Abstract: A sleep support system including: a sleep support member having an inflatable member, wherein the inflatable member communicates with a first connector and a second connector, and a control unit having a terminal; wherein the terminal is configured to be connected to the first connector, if the sleep support member is in a first position, and wherein the terminal is configured to be connected to the second connector, if the sleep support member is rotated to a second position. Accordingly, a sleep support member having zoned support characteristics can be conveniently rotated without losing the proper zoned effect.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing variable support and variable comfort control of a sleep system, the apparatus including a sleep support member including: a comfort layer including: a plurality of comfort layer inflatable members; and a comfort layer sensor configured to provide data relating to respective pressures of the comfort layer inflatable members; a data analysis unit configured to analyze data provided by the comfort layer sensor and to generate analyzed comfort layer data; and a control unit configured to control a pressure within each of the respective comfort layer inflatable members using the analyzed comfort layer data.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a person for a sleep system, the method including: while the person is not positioned on an evaluating member, adjusting a pressure of a comfort layer inflatable member disposed within a comfort layer of the evaluating member to an initial comfort value; positioning the person on the evaluating member in a first position; while the person is positioned on the evaluating member in the first position, measuring a pressure of the comfort layer inflatable member as a first measured comfort value; calculating a difference between the first measured comfort value and the initial comfort value as comfort pressure 1; calculating a first optimal pressure level for the comfort layer inflatable member using comfort pressure 1; and recommending a sleep support member for the person using the calculated first optimal pressure level for the comfort layer inflatable member and using data measuring quality of sleep.

Abstract: An adjustable head support apparatus includes an adjustable head support member including one or more inflatable members; and an encasement layer configured to encase the one or more inflatable members. The adjustable head support apparatus further includes a measurement unit configured to provide measurements relating to a pressure of the one or more inflatable members; an analysis unit configured to determine goal characteristics of the adjustable head support member for a person using the measurements relating to the pressure of the one or more inflatable members; and a control unit configured to control adjustments to pressure of the one or more inflatable members using the determined goal characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a system and method for recommending a bedding product for an individual. In one arrangement, a test mattress system comprises a mattress portion, a box spring portion, and fluid bladders positioned at various locations within the system. In an alternative embodiment, a method comprises the steps of taking a first pressure measurement of at least one bladder situated within a test mattress while the individual reclines on the test mattress; elevating pressure within the at least one bladder; and taking a second pressure measurement of the at least one bladder while the individual reclines on the test mattress.

Abstract: A customized mattress evaluation system allows for uniquely designed mattresses based upon a particular customer's physical attributes. The system allows a retail mattress store to collect data from a sensor pad positioned on top of a support surface to generate a pressure profile for that person. The pressure profile and other information are used to generate specific mattress design parameters or co-efficients which are then utilized in designing a specific mattress uniquely customized for that person. Body type coefficients characteristic of an individual customer are correlated with coefficients developed for test persons for which various bedding products have been optimized. The optimization includes the rating of various bedding products for various body types by minimizing support pressures across the mattress and optimizing lumbar support for desired spinal curvature.