Bed Pump Pressure Sensing for User Occupancy Detection and Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bed systems lack effective methods to accurately determine user occupancy and biological activity, leading to inefficiencies in triggering connected devices and providing personalized experiences.
Innovation Solution
A bed system equipped with a pressure sensor and controller that analyzes pump pressure readings to detect user presence by calculating trailing averages and comparing them to thresholds, accounting for seasonality and growth, and integrates with user-facing interfaces to display occupancy status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple pressure threshold detection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of user occupancy detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating trailing average pressure values over a specified time window before making occupancy determination. This preprocessing step smooths out transient pressure fluctuations and provides a more stable baseline for comparison with current pressure readings, thereby improving detection accuracy without requiring complex algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring pressure readings, comparing current pressure against trailing averages, and adjusting occupancy status determinations based on the difference. This closed-loop approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain high measurement precision while using relatively simple computational logic.
2Measurement precision
If trailing average calculation with multiple readings is used, then measurement precision of occupancy detection is improved, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by calculating the trailing average over a limited number of recent pressure readings (N readings) within a specific time window, rather than processing all historical data. This selective approach provides sufficient smoothing for accurate detection while minimizing processing time and computational overhead.
3Ease of operation
If fixed threshold values are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different conditions (seasonality, growth) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by making the threshold value adjustable and adaptable to different conditions. Rather than using a completely fixed threshold, the system can modify threshold values to account for seasonality (e.g., different bedding weights in different seasons) and user growth (e.g., children growing into the bed). This maintains ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability to varying environmental conditions.
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
The system accurately determines user occupancy and biological activity, enabling timely engagement of peripheral devices and enhancing user experience through precise tracking and historical data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A bed system equipped with a pressure sensor and controller that analyzes pump pressure readings to detect user presence
Data Source
AI summary
If a user enters a bed, a sensor in the pump of the bed can detect the user's presence in the bed.