Wireless control of an adjustable bed

• US 8,682,457 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• 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): Padmanabhan, Kavita
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Douglas S.
• Application Number:
  US13/205,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20110291795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 700/13, 700/64, 700/66, 700/302, 560/0, 561/3, 561/6, 318/16, 340/573
• US Class Current: 700/66
• 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:

establishing a two-way wireless communication system between a handheld remote control and an adjustable bed controller, wherein the handheld remote control is communication matched to the adjustable bed controller with a code key indicating that commands can be received and executed therebetween;

transmitting a control signal including a command from the handheld remote control to the adjustable bed controller using the two-way wireless communication system; and

providing feedback to a user on the handheld remote control to indicate the success of the command.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is presented on a screen of the handheld remote control.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is presented on a screen of the handheld remote control as a graphic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustable bed controller confirms a position of the articulating portion through a comparison with a value representative of an acceptable value from a range of acceptable values for the position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control is a touch screen handheld remote control.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control is a cell phone handheld remote control.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is at least one of an audio feedback, a visual feedback and a vibration.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the command is for repositioning of an articulating portion of the adjustable bed.

9. A method, comprising:

establishing a two-way wireless communication system between a handheld remote control and an adjustable bed controller, wherein the handheld remote control is communication matched to the adjustable bed controller with a code key indicating that commands can be received and executed therebetween;

transmitting a control signal including a command from the handheld remote control to the adjustable bed controller using the two-way wireless communication system;

receiving an indication from the adjustable bed controller of a result of the command; and

providing feedback to a user on the handheld remote control to indicate the success of the command.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication is at least one of successful, failed, in progress, in conflict with a command in progress, and failed for safety reasons.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the command is for repositioning of an articulating portion of the adjustable bed.

12. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer code that, when run on a handheld remote control for controlling an adjustable bed and an adjustable bed controller, performs the following steps:

establishing a two-way wireless communication system between the handheld remote control and the adjustable bed controller, wherein the handheld remote control is communication matched to the adjustable bed controller with a code key indicating that commands can be received and executed therebetween;

transmitting a control signal including a command from the handheld remote control to the adjustable bed controller using the two-way wireless communication system; and

providing feedback to a user on the handheld remote control to indicate the success of the command.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the indication is presented on a screen of the handheld remote control.

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the indication is presented on a screen of the handheld remote control as a graphic.

15. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the adjustable bed controller confirms a position of the articulating portion through a comparison with a value in a table.

16. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the handheld remote control is a touch screen handheld remote control.

17. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the handheld remote control is a cell phone handheld remote control.

18. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the indication is at least one of an audio feedback, a visual feedback and a vibration.

19. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the command is for repositioning of an articulating portion of the adjustable bed.

20. A system comprising:

an adjustable bed having machine-adjustable articulated portions;

a controller for the adjustable bed, the controller including a wireless interface, the controller capable of two-way wireless communication with a handheld remote control, wherein the handheld remote control is communication matched to the adjustable bed controller with a code key indicating that commands can be received and executed therebetween; and

the handheld remote control capable of;

transmitting a control signal to the adjustable bed controller using the two-way wireless communication system; and

providing feedback to a user on the handheld remote control to indicate the success of the command.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the indication is presented on a screen of the handheld remote control.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the indication is presented on a screen of the handheld remote control as a graphic.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the adjustable bed controller confirms a position of the articulating portion through a comparison with a value representative of an acceptable value from a range of acceptable values for the position.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the handheld remote control is a touch screen handheld remote control.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the handheld remote control is a cell phone handheld remote control.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the indication is at least one of an audio feedback, a visual feedback and a vibration.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the command is for repositioning of an articulating portion of the adjustable bed.