Embedded Mattress Force Sensing for Accurate Sleep State Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep monitoring systems are limited in functionality and convenience, requiring users to manually place devices on mattresses and relying on inaccurate mobile device hardware for sleep state tracking.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent sleep system with force sensors embedded in the mattress to monitor occupant movement and position, coupled with processors to determine sleep state information, mattress health, and environmental conditions, and a mobile device or server to generate display screens for user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile device applications are used to monitor sleep state, then sleep tracking functionality is provided, but the user must manually place the device on the mattress and ensure it is at a particular location for the application to work
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress system automatically detects and tracks sleep state without requiring user intervention to place or position any device. The force sensors embedded in the mattress self-activate when the user lies down and automatically begin monitoring, eliminating the need for manual device placement while providing continuous sleep tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mattress with embedded force sensors as an intermediary device between the user and the sleep monitoring function. This intermediary mattress system handles all the complexity of sensor placement and data collection, while the user simply lies on the mattress to receive sleep tracking services without dealing with device positioning or setup.
2Measurement precision
If mobile device hardware is used for sleep state detection, then limited information can be obtained, but accuracy issues arise due to the limitations of mobile device sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force sensors embedded in different locations within the mattress to create a comprehensive monitoring system. By merging data from multiple sensor positions, the system achieves both high measurement precision through force sensing and broad adaptability by capturing sleep state information across different body regions and positions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The mattress force sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects sleep state, monitors mattress health, tracks user position, and provides accurate force measurements. This multi-functional approach delivers both high measurement precision for sleep staging and broad information coverage for comprehensive sleep analytics, overcoming the limitations of mobile device hardware.
3Measurement precision
If force sensors are embedded within the mattress to sense movement, then accurate sleep state monitoring is achieved, but the mattress structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensors are embedded within the flexible mattress structure in a way that maintains the mattress's soft and comfortable characteristics. The sensors are integrated into the mattress layers using flexible mounting methods that preserve the mattress's ability to conform to the user's body while providing accurate movement detection throughout the sleeping surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Force sensors are strategically embedded at specific locations within the mattress where they provide maximum monitoring value, such as under the head, torso, and leg regions. This localized sensor placement achieves comprehensive movement detection accuracy while minimizing overall mattress structure complexity by concentrating sensors only where needed rather than uniformly distributing them throughout the entire mattress.
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
Provides accurate and convenient sleep state monitoring, mattress health assessment, and environmental data, enhancing user insights into sleep quality and mattress condition without the need for manual device placement.
Implementation Method 1
one or more force sensors embedded within the mattress. The force sensors are positioned within the mattress to sense movement of an occupant of the mattress
Data Source
AI summary
Sleep systems having embedded sensors are described. In one aspect, a sleep system includes a mattress and one or more force sensors embedded within the mattress. The force sensors are positioned within the mattress to sense movement of an occupant of the mattress. The sleep system also includes one or more processors coupled with the one or more force sensors. At least one of the processors is configured to determine sleep state information for the occupant based on data obtained from one or more of the force sensors.