Voice command control of adjustable bed functions

• US 8,019,486 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2007
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
• Original Assignee: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
• Inventors: Rawls-Meehan, Martin B
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ramesh B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland; Steven R
• Application Number:
  US11/875,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20080115282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,424 Days
• Field of Search: 700/302, 700/83, 560/0, 561/6, 704/275, 704/E15.045
• US Class Current: 700/302
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/12 Folding bedsteads travelling or camp beds A47C17/64
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/08 with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/003 Lighting, radio, telephone or the like connected to the bedstead
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/006 Oscillating, balancing or vibrating mechanisms connected to the bedstead for children's beds A47D9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/04 Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/082 with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0443 substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A controller for an adjustable bed can accept voice input, such as spoken commands to control functions of an adjustable bed. The controller can also accept voice commands to control functions of a second system associated with the bed. One or more voice commands can result in both the adjustable bed and the second system functionality being controlled.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing a plurality of adjustable bed values that define a range of available adjustable bed positions for an adjustable bed, wherein storing the plurality of adjustable bed values includes storing a vocal bed command associated with each of a plurality of adjustable bed positions and storing a bed position table having a plurality of adjustable bed entries, each one of the plurality of adjustable bed entries specifying one of the range of available adjustable bed positions for the adjustable bed;

receiving a first spoken request to save a current adjustable bed position of the adjustable bed as a user-defined vocal bed command;

generating a current adjustable bed position value that represents the current adjustable bed position;

storing in the bed position table the current adjustable bed position value together with an association of the current adjustable bed position value with the user-defined vocal bed command, and a bed increment value activated by the vocal bed command to reach the stored current adjustable bed position;

controlling the adjustable bed in response to the vocal bed command;

storing a plurality of room configuration values that define a plurality of available room configurations for a room environment, wherein storing the plurality of room configuration values includes storing a vocal room command associated with each of the plurality of available room configurations and storing a room configuration table having a plurality of room configuration entries, each one of the plurality of room configuration entries specifying one of the plurality of available room configurations for the environment;

receiving a second spoken request to save a current room configuration value of the room environment as a user-defined vocal room command;

generating the current room configuration value that represents the current room configuration;

storing in the room configuration table the current room configuration value together with an association of the current room configuration value with the user-defined vocal room command, and a room increment value activated by the user-defined vocal room command to reach the saved current room environment; and

controlling the room environment in response to the vocal room command.