Feedback loop in control of an adjustable bed including a memory

• US 9,237,814 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2012
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• 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:
  US13/352,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 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 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0119 Support for the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0134 Cushion or similar support
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0146 Mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1628 Pelvis
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 : using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 : using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 : Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 : freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5046 : Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5066 : Limit switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 : wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0443 : substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 : with rotary motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/04 : with hydraulic or pneumatic drive hydraulic or Pneumatic massages, A61H9/00; underwater massages, A61H33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 : using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 : User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/60 : Security, fault tolerance

Abstract

This disclosure concerns a wireless communication system adapted to establish a feedback protocol between a handheld remote control and at least an adjustable bed controller, the handheld remote control having a memory position user interface adapted to initiate a transmission of a position recall command from the handheld remote control to an adjustable bed controller using the feedback protocol to adjust a position of a bed segment to a preset position from within a predetermined range of acceptable positions stored in memory. The adjustable bed controller is adapted to initiate a communication from the adjustable bed controller to the handheld remote to indicate that the adjustable bed controller has responded to the position recall command.

Claims

1. A control system adapted to establish two-way command and verification wireless communication between a handheld remote control and at least an adjustable bed controller, the control system comprising:

a handheld remote control comprising a memory position user interface adapted (i) to initiate a wireless transmission of a position recall command from the handheld remote control to an adjustable bed controller and (ii) to receive a return wireless communication from the adjustable bed controller indicating that the adjustable bed controller has responded to the position recall command;

an adjustable bed controller adapted (i) to adjust, following receipt of the position recall command from the handheld remote control, a position of a bed segment to a preset position wherein the preset position is represented within a predetermined range of available positions stored in memory, and (ii) to initiate a wireless communication from the adjustable bed controller to the handheld remote to indicate that the adjustable bed controller has responded to the position recall command; and

memory comprising (i) a stored plurality of actuator positions defining the predetermined range of available positions, the plurality of actuator positions comprising (A) a predetermined first value defining a lower possible actuator position in the predetermined range, (B) a predetermined second value defining an upper possible actuator position in the predetermined range, and (C) intermediate actuator positions spanning the predetermined range, and (ii) a preset actuator position as the preset position, the preset actuator position being stored as an indication corresponding to the preset recall position and to an available actuator position in the predetermined range.

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

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the user interface of the handheld remote control comprises a touch screen input device.

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

5. 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.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the memory comprising the stored plurality of actuator positions and the preset actuator position is stored as an indication is stored in a table.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the stored plurality of actuator positions defines a range of available discrete actuator positions and comprises all available intermediate actuator positions spanning the range of available discrete actuator positions.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the range of available discrete actuator positions corresponds to the entire available range for the position of an adjustable bed section coupled to the adjustable bed controller.

9. The control system of claim 6, wherein the preset actuator position is stored as a positive indication corresponding to one of the available actuator positions in the predetermined range.

10. The control system of claim 6, wherein the preset actuator position is stored as an empty indication corresponding to one of the available actuator positions in the predetermined range.

11. The control system of claim 6, wherein the table stored in memory is stored in memory within the adjustable bed controller.

12. The control system of claim 6, wherein the table stored in memory is stored in memory outside the adjustable bed controller.

13. The control system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first value is a base value defining a flat position for the bed segment.