Intelligent weight support system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polysomnography sensors are not portable, disruptive to sleep, and require direct wiring, limiting sleep studies to hospitals or specialized labs and affecting sleep quality.

Innovation Solution

An air-permeable bedding system with a microclimate fabric layer and an air-permeable capacitive sensor layer that includes a sensor grid for detecting sleep states without direct wiring, using a computer-implemented process to analyze pressure sensor data for heart rate, respiration rate, and sleep state determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional polysomnography sensors are used, then sleep state detection accuracy is improved, but portability and user comfort deteriorate due to direct wiring and disruptive sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep state detection accuracyVSAvoidportability and user comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensing function from traditional wired polysomnography equipment and integrates it into a wireless bedding system. The sensor grid is embedded in the bedding, allowing sleep state monitoring without wearing disruptive sensors or requiring direct wiring to the user, thus improving portability and comfort while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bedding system serves multiple functions: it provides sleep monitoring, vital sign detection (heart rate, respiration rate), and comfort support. The sensor grid can detect various physiological parameters simultaneously, making the system versatile and reducing the need for multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If conventional polysomnography sensors are used, then sleep state detection capability is improved, but sleep quality deteriorates due to discomfort and disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep state detection capabilityVSAvoidsleep quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the bedding as an intermediary between the user and the sensing system. Instead of placing sensors directly on the user's body, the sensor grid is embedded in the bedding material, which acts as a comfortable mediator that maintains skin contact for accurate detection while eliminating the discomfort and disruption associated with traditional wearable sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor grid is integrated into breathable bedding material that allows air circulation, preventing overheating and discomfort during sleep. The porous structure maintains comfort and sleep quality while enabling the sensing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If wired polysomnography system is used, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoiddirect wiring requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The sensor grid communicates with external devices via wireless technology, eliminating the need for direct wiring while maintaining measurement reliability. This substitution reduces device complexity and improves portability, allowing the system to be used in various settings including home environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 non-invasive, portable, and minimally disruptive monitoring of sleep states and vital signs, improving sleep quality and allowing for sleep studies to be conducted in various settings.

Implementation Method 1

an air-permeable capacitive sensor layer below the microclimate fabric layer. The air-permeable capacitive sensor layer may include two air-permeable substrates, each carrying a plurality of electrically conductive pathways

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a piezoelectric sensor that detects a pressure exerted by the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12310742B2Intelligent weight support system

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 XSENSOR TECH CORP

AI summary

Embodiments may relate to an air-permeable weight support system, which may include a microclimate fabric layer and an air-permeable capacitive sensor layer below the microclimate fabric layer. The air-permeable capacitive sensor layer may include two air-permeable substrates, each carrying a plurality of electrically conductive pathways that are impermeable to air. The two air-permeable substrates may securely position the electrically conductive pathways to define a sensor grid and position the electrically conductive pathways that are impermeable to air to be spaced apart to define a plurality of air pathways for the air-permeable capacitive sensor layer. The sensor data may be used to determine a sleep state of the person using the weight support system. A computer may identify the poses of the person based on the pressure sensor data. A machine learning model may rely on the poses, the heart rates, the respiration rates to determine the sleep state.