Portable Cushion Device
A portable cushion device is provided, including a first cushion region, a second cushion region, a control interface module, and an alarm unit. The second cushion region includes an inflation inlet. The first cushion region is located on the outside of the second cushion region. The control interface module is connected to the second cushion region, and is able to inflate the second cushion region to a specific pressure through the inflation inlet. When an object is placed on the second cushion region, the control interface module measures the weight of the object and monitors the object continuously. The alarm unit is triggered to issue an alarm when the control interface module detects a sudden increase or decrease of the weight of the monitored object on the second cushion region.
The present disclosure generally relates to a portable cushion device and a method of using a portable cushion.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURETaiwan Patent No. 308839 disclosed an infant safety sleep protective cushion. As shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,072 disclosed a comfort cushion for infants. As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosed relates to a portable cushion device. The portable cushion device may comprise a first cushion region, a second cushion region, a control interface module, and an alarm unit. The second cushion region includes an inflation inlet. The first cushion region is located on the outside of the second cushion region. The control interface module is connected to the second cushion region, and is able to inflate the second cushion region to a specific pressure through the inflation inlet. When an object is placed on the second cushion region, the control interface module measures the weight of the object and monitors the object continuously. The alarm unit is triggered to issue an alarm when the control interface module detects the sudden increase or decrease of the weight of the monitored object on the second cushion region.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosed relates to an operation method of a portable cushion device. A control interface module is connected to a second cushion, and a first cushion region is located on the outside of the second cushion region. The second cushion region is inflated to a specific pressure through the control interface module, and stop inflation when the specific pressure is reached. An object is placed on the second cushion region. The control interface module measures and records the weight of the object. The control interface module continuously monitors the object's weight on the second cushion region.
The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
Valve 333 may include a valve 3330 and a valve driver 3331. MCU 3310 uses valve driver 3331 to control the operation of valve 3330 for de-pressurization. Pump unit 334 may include a pump 3340 and a pump driver 3341. MCU 3310 uses pump driver 3341 to control pump 3340 for pressurizing. Pressure sensor unit 335 may include a pressure sensor 3350 and an amplifier 3351. Pressure sensor 3350 uses amplifier to feedback signal to MCU 3310. Transmitter unit 336 may include a transmitter 3360 and an antenna 3361. Transmitter unit 336 is connected to MCU 3310, and is controlled by MCU 3310 for transmitting wireless signals. Buzzer unit 337 may include a buzzer 3370 and an amplifier 3371. Buzzer unit 337 is connected to MCU 3310, and is controlled by MCU 3310 for issuing an alarm. Switches 338 receive signals from MCU 3310 for switching the power and entering the sleeping mode.
In step 820, when the pressure sensor unit of the control interface module measures the weight of the object, the pressure sensor unit may transmit a voltage signal representing the pressure caused by the object weight to MCU to compute the weight of the object. The structure of the cushion allows the use of solid-fluid coupling analytic simulation, and the relation between load and pressure, such as a linear relation y=ax−b, i.e., load y, regression line of pressure x and slope a, to measure the weight to the best precision, for example, the error is within 200 grams. The accuracy of final measurement may be further doubled by calibrating using multi-point calibration table.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A portable cushion device, comprising:
- a second cushion region having an inflation inlet;
- a first cushion region located on outside of said second cushion region;
- a control interface module connected to said second cushion region, able to inflate said second cushion region through said inflation inlet to a specific pressure, when an object being placed on said second cushion region, said control interface module measuring weight of said object and continuing monitoring said object; and
- an alarm unit;
- wherein when said control interface module detects a sudden change in said weight of said object on said second cushion region, triggers said alarm unit to issue an alarm.
2. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cushion region consists of a plurality of donut-shaped air cushions.
3. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cushion region is made of a soft material.
4. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein inner perimeter of said first region has a connection element.
5. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said donut-shaped air cushions are connected by a plurality of airflow channels.
6. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second cushion region consists of a plurality of donut-shaped air cushions.
7. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second cushion region is made of soft material.
8. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said donut-shaped air cushions are connected by a plurality of airflow channels.
9. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein outer perimeter of said second cushion region has a connection element.
10. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control interface module further includes a control unit, a power unit, a valve unit, a pump unit, a pressure sensor unit, a transmitter unit, a buzzer unit and a plurality of switches, and said control unit connects respectively to said power unit, said valve unit, said pump unit, said pressure sensor unit, said transmitter unit, said buzzer unit and said switches.
11. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control unit further includes a micro control unit and at least a display.
12. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said power unit further includes a battery and a regulator.
13. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said valve unit further includes a valve and a valve driver.
14. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pump unit further includes a pump and a pump driver.
15. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pressure sensor unit further includes a pressure sensor and an amplifier.
16. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transmitter unit further includes a transmitter and an antenna.
17. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said buzzer unit further includes a buzzer and an amplifier.
18. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control interface module transmits at least a wireless signal to trigger said alarm unit.
19. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm unit further includes a micro control unit, a receiver, a buzzer unit and a battery, and said micro control unit receives at least a signal from said receiver for triggering said buzzer unit to issue an alarm.
20. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said receiver further includes an antenna.
21. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said buzzer unit further comprises a buzzer and an amplifier.
22. A method for operating a portable cushion device, said method comprising:
- connecting a control interface module to a second cushion region;
- said control interface module inflating said second cushion region and determining whether said second cushion region reaching a specific pressure;
- after said second cushion region reaching said specific pressure, measuring weight of an object placed on said second cushion region, displaying and storing said weight of said object, and selecting whether to enter a monitoring mode;
- after entering monitoring mode, said control interface module continuing monitoring said weight of said object on said second cushion region; and
- when detecting a sudden change in said weight of said monitored object, issuing a warning signal wirelessly to an alarm unit to trigger an alarm.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the operation of said control interface module further includes:
- determining whether inflating said second cushion region reaching a specific pressure;
- measuring said weight of said object on said second cushion region, displaying and storing said weight;
- selecting whether to enter said monitoring mode and continuing monitoring said weight of said object; and
- issuing a warning signal to trigger said alarm unit when detecting a sudden change in said weight of said monitored object.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said measuring of said weight of said object placed on said second cushion region is a linear relation between load and pressure for said weight.
Type: Application
Filed: May 19, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 30, 2010
Inventors: Bor-Nian CHUANG (Taichung), Tien-Cheng TSENG (Hsinchu), Chan-Hsiao HO (Hsinchu)
Application Number: 12/468,838
International Classification: A47C 20/02 (20060101); A47D 7/00 (20060101);