Methods and systems of an adjustable bed

• US 8,032,960 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• 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): Trettel; Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/855,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20080104759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 561/6, 571/3
• US Class Current: 5/616
• 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

Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed that may include one or more articulating portions, and may include one or more components, including an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memory storage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cell phone remote control, a modular control device, an air purification facility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, an ultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and the like.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing an adjustable bed frame including an articulating portion, a data port that transceives Internet Protocol traffic, a touch screen interface, and a controller;

disposing an air inflatable mattress on the adjustable bed frame;

coupling an air pump to the air inflatable mattress, the air pump adapted to regulate an air pressure within the air inflatable mattress;

connecting a modular control to the controller;

connecting a modular control connected device to the modular control; and

providing a wireless remote control device,

wherein the controller is configured to interchangeably receive a command from either the touch screen interface or the wireless remote control device, determine whether the command provides control of the articulating portion, the air pump, or the modular control connected device, transmit a first control signal to the articulating portion when the command provides control of the articulating portion, transmit a second control signal to the air pump as a data packet through the data port when the command provides control of the air pump, transmit a third control signal to the modular control when the command provides control of the modular control connected device, and transmit a success message to the wireless remote control device upon success of the command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a programmable logic controller (PLC).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustable bed frame includes a connector adapted to receive, hold, and release a removable, replaceable memory storage device, and wherein the controller is further configured to retrieve at least one operational parameter related to control of the adjustable bed frame from the removable, replaceable memory storage device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one operational parameter includes a user preference, and wherein the controller is further configured to receive an indication of the user preference from the touch screen interface and to store the indication in the removable, replaceable memory storage device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless remote control device includes a cell phone, and wherein the data port is adapted to receive a command directly from the cell phone.

6. The method of claim 1, further including providing a vibration motor capable of being attached to the adjustable bed frame, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine whether the command provides control of the vibration motor, and

transmit a fourth control signal to the vibration motor as a second data packet through the data port when the command provides control of the vibration motor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless remote control device is an ultra wide band remote control.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the air inflatable mattress includes flex regions that flex in response to a movement of the articulating portion.