Method and apparatus for providing bed recall functions
First Claim
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1. A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) establishing a bed position reference by;
i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower a foot and a head of the bed, respectively;
ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor; and
iii) when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing this position of the bed as the bed reference position;
b) receiving a recall bed function message;
c) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data, which, for head or foot repositioning, are both derived from the bed position reference;
d) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; and
e) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus that allows a bed system to recall bed functions is accomplished by providing a bed controller with additional memory and processing steps. The additional memory is used to store current bed function data, desired bed function data, and recall bed function instructions. The additional processing, when executing the recall bed function instructions, compares the current bed function data with the desired bed function data. When the data does not match, the additional processing generates a function adjust signal which causes the bed to readjust itself to the desired function.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) establishing a bed position reference by; i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower a foot and a head of the bed, respectively; ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor; and iii) when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing this position of the bed as the bed reference position; b) receiving a recall bed function message; c) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data, which, for head or foot repositioning, are both derived from the bed position reference; d) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; and e) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the apparatus comprising:
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signal receiver that operably receives a recall bed function message; processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the recall bed function message is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data, motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control a motor of the bed based on the function adjust signal, such that the motor is driven to achieve a desired bed function; and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A bed system comprising:
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a bed that includes at least one motor for providing a bed function; remote control that provides a control signal for invoking the bed function; bed controller operably coupled to the bed, the bed controller includes; signal receiver that operably receives the control signal; processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the control signal is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data;
wherein the function adjust signal causes the at least one motor to adjust the bed such that the bed performs the bed function,motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor and to the at least one motor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control the at least one motor based on the function adjust signal; and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the at least one motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving a recall bed function message; b) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data; c) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; d) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, step a) further includes receiving a recall bed positioning message as the recall bed function message, step b) further includes retrieving current head positioning data and current foot positioning data as the current bed function data and retrieving desired head positioning data and desired foot positioning data as the desired bed function data, step d) further includes generating a head motor adjust signal when the current head positioning data does not substantially match the desired head positioning data and generating a foot motor adjust signal when the current foot positioning data does not substantially match the desired foot positioning data, and e) establishing a bed position reference by; i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower the foot and head of the bed, respectively, and ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor such that when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing disposition of the bed as the bed position reference.
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20. An apparatus for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the apparatus comprising:
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a signal receiver that operably receives a recall bed function message; a processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; a memory operable coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the recall bed function message is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data, a motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control a motor of the bed based on the function adjust signal, such that the motor is driven to achieve a desired bed function, and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
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Specification