Capacitive sensing for furniture
First Claim
1. An automated furniture item, comprising:
- a furniture support comprising a plurality of support panels, at least one of said plurality of support panels movable relative to at least one other support panel of said plurality of support panels;
at least one capacitive component secured to at least one of said plurality of support panels, wherein a voltage associated with the at least one capacitive component changes when the automated furniture item is occupied by an object; and
a processor coupled to the at least one capacitive component, the processor adapted to receive information provided by the at least one capacitive component and to determine that a change in voltage satisfies a threshold, wherein the threshold is indicative of occupancy of the automated furniture item.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for incorporating presence-sensing technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to incorporating a conductive medium into the periphery of a furniture item, such as an adjustable bed, for detecting the presence of a user or other body. The bed includes a mattress with a covering material and a tape edge surrounding the perimeter of the mattress. A capacitive wire is coupled the tape edge, and is adapted to have a voltage based on proximity of an object to the capacitive wire. The bed also includes a processor coupled to the capacitive wire. The processor receives information provided by the capacitive wire, determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold, and indicates whether presence is detected. Based on a determination of presence, or lack of presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable bed may be activated.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An automated furniture item, comprising:
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a furniture support comprising a plurality of support panels, at least one of said plurality of support panels movable relative to at least one other support panel of said plurality of support panels; at least one capacitive component secured to at least one of said plurality of support panels, wherein a voltage associated with the at least one capacitive component changes when the automated furniture item is occupied by an object; and a processor coupled to the at least one capacitive component, the processor adapted to receive information provided by the at least one capacitive component and to determine that a change in voltage satisfies a threshold, wherein the threshold is indicative of occupancy of the automated furniture item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for detecting presence with respect to a furniture item having a plurality of support panels, the method comprising:
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detecting a change in capacitance above a first support panel of the plurality of support panels with a capacitive component, wherein the capacitive component is removably attached to the first support panel of the plurality of support panels of the furniture item; receiving a monitored capacitance signal that corresponds to the detected capacitance; based on the monitored capacitance signal, determining that the detected capacitance satisfies a threshold amount to provide a presence indication with respect to the furniture item, wherein the threshold amount is indicative of user occupancy above the plurality of support panels; and based on determining that the threshold amount is satisfied, initiating a corresponding response. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification