Method and system for analyzing motion transferred to a subject on a sleeping surface

• US 20040003669A1
• Filed: 05/12/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dreamwell Limited (Serta Simmons Bedding LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dreamwell Limited (Serta Simmons Bedding LLC)
• Inventors: Arrowood, James Martin, Gladney, Rick F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,792,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/123 for beds or mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/001 Testing of furniture, e.g. seats or mattresses

Abstract

A method and system for analyzing the transfer of motion to a subject on a sleeping surface. A mattress is positioned on a frame, and a subject is positioned on the mattress. A sensor is placed in communication with the subject. The surface adjacent the subject is moved by means of a moving mass, and the sensor detects the motion of the subject. Motion transferred to the subject as a result of the mattress moving is measured and recorded.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing the transfer of motion to a subject on a mattress comprising the steps of:

supporting the mattress on a foundation;

positioning the subject on the mattress;

locating a sensor in proximity to the subject to detect displacement of the subject;

moving the surface of the mattress adjacent the subject; and

measuring and recording amount of motion transferred to the subject as a result of the mattress moving adjacent the subject.

2. The method of analyzing the transfer of motion according to claim 1, wherein the method measures and records horizontal and vertical displacement values for the subject and calculates a transferred motion value from the horizontal and vertical displacement values.

3. The method of analyzing the transfer of motion according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal and vertical displacement values include amplitude, velocity, and acceleration values..

4. The method of analyzing the transfer of motion according to claim 1, wherein the mattress is moved adjacent to the subject by means of a roller.

5. The method of analyzing the transfer of motion according to claim 4, wherein the roller is moved toward and away from the subject.

6. The method of analyzing the transfer of motion according to claim 1, wherein said subject is a mannequin with a target positioned on its chest, and the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors that measure the horizontal and vertical displacement of the target.

7. The method of analyzing the transfer of motion according to claim 6, wherein the horizontal and vertical displacement values include amplitude, velocity, and acceleration values.

8. A motion analysis system for analyzing transfer of motion from a moving mass to a subject on a mattress, wherein the mass and the subject are positioned on opposite sides of the mattress, the system comprising:

a first sensor for detecting horizontal displacement of the subject and producing a horizontal displacement value;

a second sensor for detecting vertical displacement of the subject and producing a vertical displacement value;

a processor connected to each of the sensors for receiving the horizontal displacement value and the vertical displacement value of the subject and operative to compute transferred motion values;

storage means for storing the transferred motion values for future recall.

9. The motion analysis system according to claim 8, wherein the horizontal and vertical displacement values include amplitude, velocity, and acceleration values.

10. The motion analysis system according to claim 8, wherein the moving mass is a moving roller.

11. The motion analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the roller moves toward and away from the subject.