Support Surface with Proximity Sensor and Operable in Low Power Mode
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A support surface comprising:
- a pump;
a plurality of air cells, the air cells being selectively inflated and deflated by the pump;
a proximity sensor that detects whether an object is supported on the air cells; and
a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor, the control unit controlling operation of the pump based on a signal from the proximity sensor.
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Abstract
A support surface includes a pump and a plurality of air cells that are selectively inflated and deflated by the pump. A proximity sensor detects whether an object is supported on the air cells, and a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor controls operation of the pump based on a signal from the proximity sensor. Battery power can be saved by operating the device in a power save mode when the proximity sensor determines that the user has left the support surface.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A support surface comprising:
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a pump; a plurality of air cells, the air cells being selectively inflated and deflated by the pump; a proximity sensor that detects whether an object is supported on the air cells; and a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor, the control unit controlling operation of the pump based on a signal from the proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A support surface comprising:
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a pump; a plurality of valves cooperable with the pump; a plurality of air cells, the air cells being selectively inflated and deflated by the pump via the plurality of valves; a proximity sensor that detects whether an object is supported on the air cells; and a control unit connected to the pump, the valves, and the proximity sensor, and comprising a display, the display including a visual output of operating parameters of the support surface, wherein the control unit is programmed for operation in a full power mode and a power save mode based on a signal from the proximity sensor, and wherein in the power save mode, power is provided only to the proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a support surface, the support surface including a pump, a plurality of air cells coupled with the pump, a proximity sensor, and a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor, the method comprising:
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(a) detecting with the proximity sensor whether an object is supported on the air cells; (b) the proximity sensor outputting a signal to the control unit; and (c) the control unit controlling operation of the pump based on the signal from the proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification