Wireless Air Mattress Pump Control for Peripheral Device Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable air mattress systems lack advanced control and connectivity features, limiting user customization and integration with peripheral devices, such as adjustable foundations and air mattress pads, which restricts the ability to wirelessly adjust firmness and control behavior across a network.
Innovation Solution
An air bed system with a pump unit and controller that forms a wireless network with peripheral devices, allowing for wireless pairing, control signal transmission, and integration of new devices, enabling adjustable firmness and behavior control, as well as firmware updates for user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless network is implemented to enable control of peripheral devices, then user customization and device integration are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the controller, wireless communication module, and pump unit into a single integrated pump unit housing. This merging of components allows the system to achieve wireless connectivity and peripheral device control without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the communication infrastructure is shared across all controlled devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages pump operations, establishes wireless networks, communicates with various peripheral devices (adjustable foundations, air mattress pads), and handles firmware updates. This multi-functionality allows a single component to handle diverse tasks, improving adaptability while controlling the number of separate system components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple peripheral devices are integrated into the system, then user customization options are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides functionality into separate peripheral devices (adjustable foundations, air mattress pads, pump unit) that can be independently controlled through the wireless network. Each peripheral device operates as an independent module with its own controller, allowing users to customize and configure individual components without affecting the entire system, thereby managing complexity through functional segmentation.
3Ease of operation
If wireless control signals are transmitted to peripheral devices, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements bidirectional communication where peripheral devices send status information back to the controller in addition to receiving control signals. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to monitor signal transmission success, detect interference or communication failures, and potentially implement error correction or retransmission protocols to maintain reliable operation despite wireless transmission challenges.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless wireless control and integration of peripheral devices, enhancing user customization and expandability of the air bed system, allowing for adjustable firmness and behavior control, while supporting firmware updates for improved user interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a pump unit configured to adjust a firmness of an air mattress, the pump unit includes a pump
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the pump unit to wirelessly pair with at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices
Data Source
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AI summary
An air bed system including a plurality of peripheral devices and a pump unit configured to adjust a firmness of an air mattress, the pump unit including a pump. The system further includes a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the pump unit to wirelessly pair with at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The pump unit is configured to receive at least one control signal addressed to the at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices, and transmit the at least one control signal to the addressed device.