Partner snore feature for adjustable bed foundation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11096849-B2
Application number	US-201916698393-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 27, 2019
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Aug 24, 2021
Grant date	Aug 24, 2021

Abstract

A sleep system comprises at least one mattress including a first sleep area for a first occupant, the first sleep area including a first section for a portion of a body of the first occupant, and a second sleep area adjacent to the first sleep area for a second occupant, the second sleep area including a second section for a portion of a body of the second occupant, an articulation system for articulating the first section and the second section, a first user controller configured to communicate with the articulation system in order to control articulation of the first section, and a second user controller configured to communicate with the articulation system in order to control articulation of the second section, wherein the first user controller is further configured to communicate with the articulation system in order to move the second section into a predetermined position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a controlling device for a sleep system, the method comprising:
selecting a first virtual button displayed on a touch screen interface of a controlling device, wherein selection of the first virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a first set of one or more control signals that, when received by an articulation control system of a bed, cause the articulation control system to increase an incline angle of a first head support section of a first sleep area of the bed;
selecting a second virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the second virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a second set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to decrease the incline angle of the first head support section of the first sleep area of the bed;
selecting a first preset position virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the first preset position virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a third set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to adjust the incline angle of the first head support section of the first sleep area of the bed to a first preset position;
selecting a second preset position virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the second preset position virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a fourth set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to adjust the incline angle of the first head support section of the first sleep area of the bed to a second preset position, the second preset position being distinct from the first preset position; and
after selecting the second preset position virtual button, selecting a sequence of two or more virtual buttons displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the sequence of two or more virtual buttons causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a fifth set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to adjust an incline angle of a second head support section of a second sleep area of the bed to a snore-reducing preset position, the second head support section being separately articulable from the first head support section;
wherein the first virtual button, the second virtual button, the first preset position virtual button, the second preset position virtual button, and each of the virtual buttons in the sequence of two or more virtual buttons are all distinct from each other.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first preset position is an elevated position and the second preset position is a flat position.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articulation control system comprises first and second head articulation motors and first and second leg articulation motors, wherein the first head articulation motor is positioned and configured to articulate the first head support section, wherein the first leg articulation motor is positioned and configured to articulate a first leg support section of the first sleep area of the bed, wherein the second head articulation motor is positioned and configured to articulate the second head support section, and wherein the second leg articulation motor is positioned and configured to articulate a second leg support section of the second sleep area of the bed,
wherein the articulation control system comprises first and second articulation controllers, wherein the first articulation controller is in communication with the controlling device, the first head articulation motor, and the first leg articulation motor, wherein the second articulation controller is in communication with the controlling device, the second head articulation motor, and the second leg articulation motor,
wherein the first articulation controller comprises one or more first processors, first memory, and a first communication bus with a plurality of first physical ports, wherein first cables connect the first physical ports to the first head articulation motor and the first leg articulation motor, wherein the second articulation controller comprises one or more second processors, second memory, and a second communication bus with a plurality of second physical ports, wherein second cables connect the second physical ports to the second head articulation motor and the second leg articulation motor.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first articulation controller is configured to ignore a movement control signal addressed to the second articulation controller when the first articulation controller receives a movement control signal addressed to the second articulation controller.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
selecting a third virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the third virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a sixth set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to increase an incline angle of a first leg support section of the first sleep area of the bed;
selecting a fourth virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the fourth virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a seventh set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to decrease the incline angle of the first leg support section of the first sleep area of the bed.

6. A method of operating a controlling device for a sleep system, the method comprising:
selecting a first virtual button displayed on a touch screen interface of a controlling device, wherein selection of the first virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a first set of one or more control signals that, when received by an articulation control system of a bed, cause the articulation control system to increase an incline angle of a first head support section of a first sleep area of the bed;
selecting a second virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the second virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a second set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to decrease the incline angle of the first head support section of the first sleep area of the bed;
selecting a first preset position virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the first preset position virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a third set of one or more control signals that, when received by the articulation control system of the bed, cause the articulation control system to adjust the incline angle of the first head support section of the first sleep area of the bed to a first preset position;
selecting a second preset position virtual button displayed on the touch screen interface of the controlling device, wherein selection of the second preset position virtual button causes the controlling device to generate and transmit a four

Assignees

• Sleep Number Corp

Inventors

• Stusynski Stacy
• Chen Yi-Ching
• Mcguire John

Classifications

• A47C20/041 Primary

  by electric motors · CPC title

• A61G7/018

  Control or drive mechanisms · CPC title

• A47C31/008

  Use of remote controls · CPC title

• A61G7/015 Primary

  divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position · CPC title