Sleep sequence initiation for a smart bed
A smart bed automatically initiates a sleep sequence upon detecting the presence of an individual in a sleeping position on a sleep surface of the smart bed. Such a smart bed may include a mattress that defines the sleep surface, at least one sensor associated with the sleep surface, and a processor that communicates with the at least one sensor and controls one or more functions of the mattress. Initiation of the sleep sequence may include initiating one or more functions of the smart bed and, optionally, one or more functions of an environment within which the smart bed is located to help the individual relax and fall asleep.
1 . A smart bed, comprising:
a mattress including a sleep surface;
at least one sensor associated with the sleep surface; and
a processor in communication with the at least one sensor and programmed to:
detect a presence of at least one individual at or near an edge of the sleep surface of the mattress based on a first signal from a proximity sensor at or near the edge of the mattress;
determine a location of the at least one individual on the sleep surface based on a second signal from a pressure sensor positioned toward a central portion of the mattress a distance from the edge of the mattress;
determine the at least one individual has assumed a sleeping position based on a sequence of events, the sequence of events comprising at least the detection of the presence of the at least one individual at or near the edge of the sleep surface and the determination of the location of the at least individual on the sleep surface based on the second signal from the pressure sensor positioned toward the central portion of the mattress; and
initiate at least one function of the smart bed based on the determination that the at least one individual has assumed the sleeping position.
2 . The smart bed of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to: determine an orientation of the at least one individual on the sleep surface.
3 . The smart bed of claim 2 , wherein the processor is programmed to determine whether the at least one individual is in a sitting position on the sleep surface or in a sleeping position on the sleep surface.
4 . The smart bed of claim 2 , wherein the processor is programmed to determine an orientation of the at least one individual across at least a portion of the sleep surface.
5 . The smart bed of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further programmed to:
identify the at least one individual present at or near the edge of the sleep surface and initiate the at least one function of the smart bed in a manner that corresponds to an identity of the at least one individual present at or near the edge of the sleep surface.
6 . The smart bed of claim 1 , further comprising:
a transceiver in communication with the processor.
7 . The smart bed of claim 6 , wherein the transceiver enables the processor to communicate with a processor of a portable electronic device.
8 . The smart bed of claim 7 , wherein the processor of the smart bed is further programmed to:
wake the portable electronic device as the processor detects the presence of the at least one individual at or near the edge of the sleep surface; and
cause the processor of the portable electronic device to initiate execution of a smart bed control app.
9 . The smart bed of claim 7 , wherein a smart bed control app on the portable electronic device initiates communication between the processor of the portable electronic device and the processor of the smart bed.
10 . The smart bed of claim 9 , wherein the smart bed control app enables the at least one individual to use the portable electronic device to control operation of the smart bed.
11 . The smart bed of claim 1 , wherein the at least one function comprises a temperature of at least a portion of the sleep surface, ventilation of at least a portion of the sleep surface, a firmness of at least a portion of the mattress, an anti-snore feature of the smart bed, an orientation of at least a portion of the mattress, and lighting.
12 . A method of using a smart bed, comprising:
detecting a presence of an individual at or near an edge of a sleep surface of a mattress of the smart bed based on a first signal from a proximity sensor at or near the edge of the mattress;
determining a location of the individual on the sleep surface based on a second signal from a pressure sensor positioned toward a central portion of the mattress a distance from the edge of the mattress;
determining a user has assumed a sleeping position based on a sequence of events, the sequence of events comprising at least the detection of the presence of the individual at or near the edge of the sleep surface and the determination of the location of the individual on the sleep surface based on the second signal from the pressure sensor positioned toward the central portion of the mattress; and
initiating at least one function of the smart bed based on the determination that the individual has assumed the sleeping position.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
determining an orientation of the individual on the sleep surface.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein determining the orientation of the individual on the sleep surface comprises determining whether the individual is in a sitting position on the sleep surface or in a sleeping position on the sleep surface.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein determining the orientation of the individual on the sleep surface comprises determining an orientation of the individual across at least a portion of the sleep surface.
16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
identifying the individual present at or near the edge of the sleep surface, the initiating the at least one function comprising initiating at least one function in a manner that corresponds to an identity of the individual present at or near the edge of the sleep surface.
17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
establishing communication between a processor of the smart bed and a portable electronic device.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
identifying the individual present at or near the edge of the sleep surface, the establishing communication comprising establishing communication between the processor of the smart bed and the portable electronic device of the individual present at or near the edge of the sleep surface.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein establishing communication occurs automatically upon detecting the presence of the individual at or near the edge of the sleep surface.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein establishing communication occurs automatically upon detecting the individual in the sleeping position on the sleep surface.
21 . The method of claim 12 , wherein initiating the at least one function comprises heating and/or cooling the sleep surface to a pre-set temperature, ventilating at least a portion of the sleep surface, providing the mattress with a pre-set firmness, turning on an anti-snore feature of the smart bed, adjusting an orientation of at least a portion of the mattress, and turning on and/or off lighting features.