Bed with bed presence detection using temperature signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed systems lack efficient and accurate methods for detecting user presence, which affects sleep monitoring and microclimate adjustments, and are often sensitive to motion artifacts and mattress firmness.

Innovation Solution

A bed system utilizing temperature sensors and optionally pressure sensors, with a stateless bed presence classifier that processes temperature and pressure signals to determine user presence, reducing reliance on prior states and improving accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If motion sensors or pressure sensors are used to detect user presence, then detection capability is provided, but sensitivity to motion artifacts and mattress firmness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser presence detection accuracyVSAvoidsensitivity to motion artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (motion sensors, pressure sensors) with a thermal detection system using temperature sensors. The temperature sensor detects changes in thermal energy on the mattress surface caused by user contact, substituting mechanical measurement with thermal measurement to eliminate sensitivity to motion artifacts and mattress firmness variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical (pressure, motion) to thermal (temperature). By monitoring temperature changes on the mattress surface rather than mechanical pressure or motion, the system achieves user presence detection without being affected by motion artifacts or mattress firmness, as these factors do not significantly alter thermal signatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional presence detection methods are used, then user presence can be detected, but reliability is reduced due to sensitivity to motion artifacts and mattress firmness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to motion artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If microclimate adjustments are made continuously, then user comfort is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroclimate control accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by using temperature sensors to detect user presence and absence, then activating microclimate adjustment components (heaters, coolers, fans) only when a user is detected to be present. This on-demand operation based on thermal detection significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation, while maintaining microclimate control accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temperature sensors to automatically detect user presence and trigger appropriate microclimate adjustments without requiring manual input. The bed system self-regulates based on thermal signatures, activating components only when thermally detected occupancy indicates a user is present, thereby optimizing energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 provides accurate and efficient detection of user presence, reducing sensitivity to motion artifacts and mattress firmness, enabling improved sleep monitoring and energy-efficient microclimate adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

the disclosed technology can use signals from at least one temperature sensor located on a surface of a mattress to determine whether a user is lying on the bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20230372169A1Bed with bed presence detection using temperature signals

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 SLEEP NUMBER CORP

AI summary

The disclosed technology provides a bed system for detecting bed presence of a user, having a bed with at least one temperature sensor and a computer system that performs operations including: receiving, from the at least one temperature sensor, temperature signals collected at the bed, providing the temperature signals as input to a bed presence classifier, receiving, from the bed presence classifier, output of a bed presence indication, and returning the bed presence indication. The computer system can also receive, from at least one motion sensor of the bed, pressure signals, and the bed presence classifier can generate the bed presence indication based on the pressure signals and the temperature signals. The bed presence indication can be provided, to a data pipeline, which can include at least one classifier that was trained to determine at least one of user sleep metrics or user health metrics.