Closed feedback loop to verify a position of an adjustable bed

• US 9,066,602 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2012
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• 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): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUGHLIN, NATHAN L
• Application Number:
  US13/353,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20120119886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/21, 700/78, 700/79, 700/83, 700/275
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• 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 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/16 Touchpads
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/36 for motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• 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 2201/5046 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0443 substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/106 for selecting a programme, variable or parameter
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23051 Remote control, enter program remote, detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2608 Hospital bed
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• 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

This disclosure concerns a wireless communication system adapted to produce a closed-loop feedback scheme between a handheld remote control and an adjustable bed controller. The adjustable bed controller is adapted to, in response to a receipt of a motion command from the handheld remote control via the closed-loop feedback scheme, adjust, with feedback, a portion of an adjustable bed. The feedback is based on a comparison of sensor feedback and a predetermined position stored in a memory of the adjustable bed controller. The handheld remote control can receive, through the closed-loop feedback scheme, a returned confirmation reflecting the state of the position of the bed segment in response to the control signal.

Claims

1. A control system, comprising:

a wireless communication system adapted to produce a closed-loop feedback scheme between a handheld remote control and at least an adjustable bed controller, the adjustable bed controller adapted to, in response to a receipt of a motion command from the handheld remote control, adjust, with feedback, a portion of an adjustable bed;

wherein the feedback is based on a comparison of sensor feedback and a predetermined position stored in a memory of the adjustable bed controller;

the handheld remote control capable of transmitting a control signal for an articulating adjustment of the position of a bed segment to the adjustable bed controller using the closed-loop feedback scheme; and

the handheld remote control further capable of receiving, through the closed-loop feedback scheme, a returned confirmation reflecting the state of the position of the bed segment in response to said control signal;

wherein the handheld remote control comprises a touch screen display adapted to present one or more interactive bed control icons to receive user input for the articulating adjustment control signal; and

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 is adapted to receive from the adjustable bed controller an indication that the code key has been received and accepted.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable bed controller receives feedback from a plurality of bed segments in response to said control signal and wherein said bed controller coordinates movement of the plurality of bed segments.

3. The control system, claim 1, wherein:

the handheld remote control is adapted to wirelessly communicate with at least one secondary system, and

the handheld remote control is further capable of transmitting a control signal to the secondary system to control at least one function of the secondary system.

4. The control system claim 3, wherein the secondary system comprises a home security system.

5. The control system claim 3, wherein the secondary system comprises a home HVAC system.

6. The control system claim 3, wherein the secondary system comprises a home alarm system.

7. The control system claim 3, wherein the secondary system comprises a kitchen appliance.

8. The control system claim 3, wherein the secondary system comprises a vehicle system.

9. The control system claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control is a cell phone or a smart phone.

10. The control system of claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control and the adjustable bed controller are adapted to wirelessly communicate via radio frequency (RF) communication.

11. The control system of claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control and the adjustable bed controller are adapted to wirelessly communicate via Bluetooth protocol.

12. The control system of claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control is adapted to display the returned confirmation reflecting the state of the position of the bed segment in response to said control signal.