Smart Sleep Surface with Sensor-Driven Therapy Delivery to Body Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack an efficient and effective way to deliver therapy to specific body parts based on sensed biological parameters while a person is in contact with a surface, such as a mattress, limiting the ability to provide targeted and timed therapy.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising spatially distributed physical sensors and therapy devices on a substrate that use a processor to identify specific body parts and deliver therapy by determining which sensors differ from reference values, mapping virtual sensors to detect body parts, and activating associated therapy devices to deliver targeted therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical sensors are spatially distributed on a substrate to detect body parts, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple discrete sensor locations, each capable of independent body part detection. The processor segments the detection task by identifying which specific sensors are in contact with body parts and routing therapy to corresponding therapy devices, rather than using a single complex sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual sensors are introduced as an intermediary layer between physical sensors and therapy devices. The processor creates virtual sensor representations that map physical sensor contacts to logical body part locations, simplifying the control architecture while maintaining detection precision.
2Productivity
If therapy devices are activated based on real-time sensor data, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring cycles where the processor receives sensor data at specified intervals rather than continuously. Therapy devices are activated only when needed based on detected body part contact, allowing the system to enter low-power states between monitoring cycles while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically activates and deactivates therapy devices based on real-time sensor input without requiring external control. The processor autonomously determines when therapy is needed and manages device activation, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention or monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual sensors are used to map body part spaces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual sensors create digital copies or representations of physical sensor locations and body part contact points. This virtual mapping allows the system to adapt to different body positions and configurations by updating the virtual sensor model without requiring physical reconfiguration of the actual sensor array or therapy devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system enabling delivery of a sleep therapy type is provided. The method includes receiving a value of a parameter measured by physical sensors while a mammal is in contact with a first subset of the physical sensors. A second subset of the physical sensors, whose received value differs from a predetermined reference value of an environmental parameter, is determined. A physical part subset of the second subset, corresponding to a specified body part, is determined by utilizing the second subset and virtual data for identifying virtual sensors spatially distributed to map a space occupied by the mammal's body parts. In response, a therapy device positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the specified body part to effectively deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part is determined and a control signal is generated and transmitted to the therapy device.