Chair or bed member having data storage

• US 9,198,523 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ergoCentric, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Terry Cassaday
• Inventors: Cassaday, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US11/167,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,808 Days
• Field of Search: 600/481, 600/483, 600/485, 600500-509, 600/595, 600/300, 600/301
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/022 having independently-adjustable supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/126 for chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36463 Manual switch to drive motor to wanted position, store, memorize position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45022 Auto seat, dentist chair, roll wheel chair

Abstract

A chair or bed member has data storage of information regarding the chair or bed member. The chair or bed member further has a sensor which senses physical movement by a person using the chair or bed member to produce an output of the information from the data storage.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a chair, lounge or bed member; and

a display unit to provide a biorhythm signal of a person when a person occupies said chair, lounge or bed member;

said chair lounge or bed member including moveable parts and one or more levers which enable movement of said moveable parts;

a sensor disposed in said chair, lounge or bed member for receiving and transmitting a biorhythm signal of said person occupying said chair, lounge or bed member; and

a processing unit associated with said display unit for selectively;

(i) activating said display unit to display said biorhythm signal of said person;

(ii) deactivating said display unit; and

a data storage device containing instructional information regarding operating functions of said one or more levers, each said one or more levers having a switch which when activated produce an output of the instructional information without producing operation of said moveable parts.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises a computer remotely disposed in front of said chair, lounge or bed member, said computer including a display.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said computer is used to deactivate said display.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said computer is used to deactivate said sensor.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display unit comprises a display disposed on the armrest of said chair.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one or more levers can be activated to move said moveable parts to assume different ergonomically desirable body positions when occupying said chair, lounge or bed member.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein both said instructional information and said biorhythm signal of a person is displayed on said display unit.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said computer is programmed to accept and display both said instructional information and said biorhythm signal of a person.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an audible output device for outputting said instructional information.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said audible output device is one or more speakers.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data storage device further contains history information for the chair, lounge, or bed member.

12. A chair or bed member comprising:

a moveable part and a lever which enables movement of said moveable part;

a sensor for sensing biorhythm signal of a person in said chair or bed member and transmitting said biorhythm signal to a display unit to display the person'"'"'s biorhythm each time the person occupies the chair or bed member; and

a data storage device for storing both instructional and operational information regarding the moveable part and;

said lever having a switch, said switch when activated displays the instructional and operational information on said display unit without producing operation of said moveable part.

13. A chair for providing biorhythm information by occupying the chair comprising:

a) a moveable part;

b) a sensor disposed in said chair for receiving a biorhythm signal of a person in said chair and transmitting said biorhythm information to a computer display unit to display said biorhythm information of said person;

c) a data storage device for storing both instructional and operational information regarding the moveable part and;

d) a lever for moving said moveable part, the lever having a switch, where said switch when activated displays the instructional and operational information on said computer display unit, without producing movement of said moveable part.