Smart Bed Controller Integrating Sensor Inputs for Adaptive Sleep Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beds lack advanced features to analyze user and environmental characteristics, providing limited operational and reporting options, and are not multifunctional, failing to adapt to individual needs and habits.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional smart bed equipped with sensors, actuators, and a controller that receives input from various sensors to adjust mattress firmness, orientation, light, temperature, and other environmental factors, while monitoring health and relationship metrics, and controlling external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional beds are used with manual controls, then device complexity is low, but functionality and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system integrates multiple functions including sleep monitoring, health tracking, environmental control, and entertainment into a single unified platform. The controller coordinates actuators for mattress adjustment, head section positioning, and environmental sensors to provide comprehensive functionality beyond traditional bed operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A central controller acts as an intermediary between various sensors (force sensors, environmental sensors, microphones), actuators (mattress firmness control, head section actuators), and external devices (smartphone, smart home systems). This mediator coordinates data flow and control signals to manage the complex system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and actuators are added to provide comprehensive monitoring and control, then measurement precision and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system is divided into modular components: force sensors in bed legs for weight detection, environmental sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring, microphones for sound analysis, actuators for mattress and head section control. Each module independently performs specific functions while contributing to overall system capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically processes sensor data to detect user presence, determine sleep stages, monitor health metrics, and adjust environmental parameters without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously coordinates actuators based on sensor inputs to maintain optimal conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bed system controls multiple environmental parameters and external devices, then versatility and user experience improve, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller operates sensors and actuators in periodic cycles rather than continuously. Environmental sensors are sampled at intervals, actuators adjust parameters in discrete steps, and the system enters low-power states between active measurement and control phases, reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system selectively activates specific sensors and actuators based on detected conditions and user needs. For example, force sensors are activated only when user presence is detected, environmental controls are adjusted locally around the bed rather than the entire room, and microphones are engaged only during relevant time periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to multifunctional smart beds and operating methods thereof. More specifically, a multifunctional smart bed comprises a controller configured to receive an input from various sensors (e.g. force sensors positioned in footboards, thermometers and/or microphones) and/or a user. These inputs are analysed and used to monitor various components of the bed to improve sleep quality, to monitor user health, to evaluate a couple's relationship, etc. For example, said inputs can be used to control the firmness of different mattress parts, change the orientations of the head, torso and/or leg sections, adjust the light, etc. In some cases, the smart bed generates a report showing one or more sleep durations, the sleep depth profile, sleep length, heart rate, respiratory rate, ambient conditions, the couple's relationship, etc. Moreover, in some examples, a multifunctional smart bed is also configured to control external devices in the same environment, for example smart switches and smart thermostats.