Characterization and calibration for automated furniture

• US 10,048,662 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2015
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&P Property Management Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: L&P Property Management Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chacon, Ryan Edward, Madadi, Avinash, Rohr, William Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Yanchus, III, Paul
• Application Number:
  US14/810,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20150327687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/00 Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders bed tables supported on the bedstead A47B23/02; for children's beds A47D7/00, A47D15/00; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/088 operating with electric fields G01V3/082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

A system and method for incorporating occupancy-detecting technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to detecting occupancy using a detection pad coupled a portion of a bed. The detection pad may include an aluminized polymer material, a metalized and/or conductive fabric, an aluminum sheet, a metal screen, an aluminum tape, a wire grid, or other metalized material or fabric. A controller determines the corresponding response based on single-occupancy or dual-occupancy detection by one or more detection pads. A processor receives information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of occupancy, or lack thereof, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable bed may be activated.

Claims

1. A method for automated furniture item characterization comprising:

receiving an indication of a range of motion profile comprising a plurality of adjustable furniture item positions and a corresponding startup detection threshold for each of the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions;

determining a change in capacitance in a conductive material associated with the adjustable furniture item;

determining a filtered noise level corresponding to each of the plurality of positions; and

generating an adjusted detection threshold for the range of motion profile based on the determined filtered noise levels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of a range of motion profile is received upon startup of the adjustable furniture item.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions comprises a plurality of profile phases in sequential order.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of profile phases comprises a plurality of transitional positions between multiple specific positions of the adjustable furniture item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the startup detection threshold is constant for each of the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that a change in voltage satisfies an adjusted detection threshold for a particular position of the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions based on:

1) monitoring a change in voltage in the conductive material over a particular period of time; and

2) comparing the change in voltage over the particular period of time with the adjusted detection threshold.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, based on determining that a change in voltage satisfies an adjusted detection threshold, activating one or more features associated with the automated furniture item.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, based on determining that a change in voltage satisfies an adjusted detection threshold, deactivating one or more features associated with the automated furniture item.

9. A method for characterizing occupancy detection with respect to an automated furniture item, the method comprising:

running a characterization routine of an automated furniture item, said characterization routine comprising manipulating the automated furniture item through a plurality of positions in a range of motion;

determining a plurality of capacitance detection samples at multiple positions in the range of motion; and

adjusting a baseline value upward or downward relative to each of the plurality of positions in the range of motion for the automated furniture item.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the baseline value for each of the plurality of positions is automatically adjusted.

11. A system for automated furniture item characterization comprising:

a non-transitory computer storage media storing instructions that, when used by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

receive an indication of a range of motion profile comprising a plurality of adjustable furniture item positions and a corresponding startup detection threshold for each of the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions;

determine an indication of a change in voltage received from conductive material associated with the adjustable furniture item;

determine a filtered noise level corresponding to each of the plurality of positions; and

generate an adjusted detection threshold for the range of motion profile based on the determined filtered noise levels.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the indication of a range of motion profile is received upon startup of the adjustable furniture item.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions comprises a plurality of profile phases in sequential order.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of profile phases comprises a plurality of transitional positions between multiple specific positions of the adjustable furniture item.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the startup detection threshold is constant for each of the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to determine that a change in voltage satisfies an adjusted detection threshold for a particular position of the plurality of adjustable furniture item positions based on:

1) a monitored change in voltage in the conductive material over a particular period of time; and

2) a comparison between the change in voltage over the particular period of time with the adjusted detection threshold.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein, based on determining a change in voltage satisfies an adjusted detection threshold, the instructions further cause the processor to activate one or more features associated with the automated furniture item.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein, based on determining a change in voltage satisfies an adjusted detection threshold, the instructions further cause the processor to deactivate one or more features associated with the automated furniture item.