IP Library Granted Patent US 12,167,921
Granted Patent B2
US 12,167,921 · App. 16/924,700 · Granted Dec 17, 2024

Bed with user weight tracking

Inventors: Wade Daniel Palashewski (Andover, MN); Rob Nunn (Eden Prairie, MN); Robert Erko (Apple Valley, MN)
Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation
A61B5/6891A47C27/083F04D15/0088F04D27/001G05B15/02G05B2219/2642
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,167,921
App. No.
16/924,700
Granted
Dec 17, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

If a user enters a bed, a sensor in the pump of the bed can detect the user's presence in the bed.

Claims (46)

1. A system comprising:

a mattress to support a user;

an air bladder inside the mattress;

a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the air bladder of the mattress and configured to sense air pressure in the air bladder;

a controller in communication with the pressure sensor; and

a user device configured to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user;

wherein the controller is configured to:

receive, from the pressure sensor, a first stream of pressure readings comprising the air pressure that is sensed in the air bladder from the pressure sensor;

determine, via the first stream of pressure readings comprising the air pressure that is sensed in the air bladder, that the user is present on the mattress;

calculate, responsive to determining that the user is present on the system and via the first stream of pressure readings comprising the air pressure that is sensed in the air bladder, a first weight of the user based on at least one air pressure reading in the first stream of pressure readings that is detected before it is determined that the user is present on the mattress and at least one other air pressure reading in the first stream of pressure readings that is detected after it is determined that the user is present on the mattress; and

send a signal indicative of user weight to the user device to be displayed at the GUI as an indicia of user weight,

wherein the controller is further configured to calculate the first weight of the user based on looking up a weight value in a database that associates pressure readings with weights.

2. The system of claim 1 , the controller being further configured to:

receive, from the pressure sensor, a second stream of pressure readings;

distinguish the first stream of pressure readings as indicative of the user positioned on the mattress from the second stream of pressure readings as indicative of one or more objects other than the user being positioned on the mattress; and

calculate the first weight of the user by excluding weight changes due to the one or more objects other than the user.

3. The system of claim 1 , the controller being further configured to:

track a plurality of weights of the user over a plurality of days as determined by sensed pressure in the air bladder by the pressure sensor; and

transmit, to the user device, historical weight data of the user over the plurality of days for display on the GUI of the user device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust for weight changes to inanimate objects being placed on and removed from the mattress so as to omit weight changes due to inanimate objects from the historical weight data.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to identify animate objects by detection of biological activity.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pump fluidly connected to the air bladder, wherein the controller comprises a pump controller for driving the pump to inflate the air bladder to a desired pressure upon command by the user.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive, from the user device, input indicative of a change in at least one of a user condition or a bed condition;

receive, from the pressure sensor, a third stream of pressure readings;

distinguish the first stream of pressure readings as indicative of the user positioned on the mattress from the third stream of pressure readings as indicative of the change in at least one of the user condition or the bed condition; and

adjust the first weight of the user based on weight changes due to the change in at least one of the user condition or the bed condition.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the user condition is pregnancy, seasonal weight gain, seasonal weight loss, lifestyle change, or another user using the mattress.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the bed condition is an increase in bedding during a winter season or a reduction in bedding during a summer season.

10. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive, from the pressure sensor, a fourth stream of pressure readings;

distinguish the first stream of pressure readings as indicative of the user positioned on the mattress from the fourth stream of pressure readings as indicative of a change in a bed condition; and

adjust the first weight of the user based on weight changes due to the change in the bed condition.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the bed condition is an increase in bedding during a winter season or a reduction in bedding during a summer season.

12. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to calculate a growth rate of the user based on the calculated first weight of the user.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to predict an expected increase in weight of the user based at least in part on the calculated growth rate and the calculated first weight of the user.

14. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to predict an expected increase in weight of the user based on the historical weight data.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is further configured to transmit, to the user device, the expected increase in weight of the user for display on the GUI of the user device.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to transmit, to the user device, the calculated growth rate of the user for display on the GUI of the user device.

17. The system of claim 3 , wherein the historical weight data is displayed with one or more lifestyle changes that affected a change in weight of the user over a period of time.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more lifestyle changes include exercise, sleep patterns, and eating habits.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the historical weight data is displayed as a single weight corresponding to specific dates or date ranges.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the historical weight data is displayed as multiple weight corresponding to specific dates or date ranges.

21. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to transmit to a computing device of a medical practitioner the historical weight data of the user over the plurality of days.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressure reading in the first stream of pressure readings that is detected before it is determined that the user is present on the mattress corresponds to a firmness of the air bladder.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the firmness of the air bladder.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 073507/0051 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2020
From: PALASHEWSKI, WADE DANIEL; NUNN, ROBERT; ERKO, ROBERT
To: SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054352/0920 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 12, 2020
From: SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
To: SLEEP NUMBER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054869/0885 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16141068 · Sep 25, 2018
Continuation 14988428 · Jan 5, 2016
Provisional Application 62099916 · Jan 5, 2015
Related Publication 20200405240A1 · Dec 31, 2020