Granted Patent B2

US 12,310,506 · App. 18/512,568 · Granted May 27, 2025

Inventors: Stacy Marie Stusynski (Blaine, MN); John McGuire (New Hope, MN); Yi-ching Chen (Maple Grove, MN)

Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation

A47C27/082A47C20/041A47C27/083A47C31/008

Abstract

Claims (87)

1. A controller for an adjustable bed system, the controller configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving an input representing one of a first state or a second state for an adjustable foundation, the adjustable foundation configured to support at least one mattress and having a first sleep area for a first user and a second sleep area for a second user, wherein the first state corresponds to a head portion of the first sleep area, a foot portion of the first sleep area, a head portion of the second sleep area, and a foot portion of the second sleep area being in a first operable configuration in which at least one portion of the first sleep area is configured to move in coordination with at least one portion of the second sleep area, and wherein the second state corresponds to the head portion of the first sleep area, the foot portion of the first sleep area, the head portion of the second sleep area, and the foot portion of the second sleep area being in a second operable configuration in which the at least one portion of the first sleep area is configured to move independently from the at least one portion of the second sleep area; and

based on receiving the input representing the first state or the second state, operating at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area, the foot portion of the first sleep area, the head portion of the second sleep area, or the foot portion of the second sleep area to achieve the first operable configuration or the second operable configuration, respectively.

2. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 1 , wherein operating at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area, the foot portion of the first sleep area, the head portion of the second sleep area, or the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises:

coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area; and

coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area.

3. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 2 , wherein coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area comprises moving the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area at substantially a same time and in substantially a same direction; and

wherein coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises moving the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area at substantially a same time and in substantially a same direction.

4. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 2 , wherein coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area comprises moving at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area to substantially a same inclination; and

wherein coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises moving at least one of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area to substantially a same inclination.

5. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 2 , wherein coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area comprises moving at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area independently; and

wherein coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises moving at least one of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area independently.

6. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 2 , wherein coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area comprises moving at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area or the head portion of the second sleep area independently of the other head portion; and

wherein coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises moving at least one of the foot portion of the first sleep area or the foot portion of the second sleep area in a synchronized manner.

7. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 2 , wherein the adjustable foundation comprises:

a first adjustable foundation corresponding to the first sleep area, the first adjustable foundation comprising a first headboard and a first footboard; and

a second adjustable foundation corresponding to the second sleep area, the second adjustable foundation comprising a second headboard and a second footboard.

8. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising, based on receiving the input representing the first state:

coordinating operation of the first headboard and the second headboard so the first headboard and the second headboard operate in unison; and

coordinating operation of the first footboard and the second footboard so the first footboard and the second footboard operate in a synchronized manner.

9. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising, based on receiving the input representing the second state:

coordinating operation of the first headboard and the second headboard so the first headboard and the second headboard operate in unison; and

coordinating operation of the first footboard and the second footboard so the first footboard and the second footboard operate independently.

10. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising, based on receiving an input representing a third state different than the first state and the second state:

coordinating operation of the first headboard and the second headboard so the first headboard and the second headboard operate independently; and

coordinating operation of the first footboard and the second footboard so the first footboard and the second footboard operate in unison.

11. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 10 , further comprising a configuration switch configured to control the input representing the first state and the second state, the configuration switch comprising:

a first position corresponding to the first state;

a second position corresponding to the second state;

and a third position corresponding to the third state, the third state corresponding to a third operable configuration of the first and second adjustable foundations, wherein the first and second adjustable foundations are arranged to support a split-top mattress, the configuration switch is operable between the first position, the second position, and the third position, the controller and the configuration switch comprising a circuit configured during an initial setup of the first and second adjustable foundations.

12. The controller for the adjustable bed system of claim 7 , further comprising an encoder device coupled to the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, and the second footboard, the encoder device configured to perform operations comprising:

detecting at least one of an angular position or a motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard; and

transmitting a signal representing one or more of the angular position or the motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard to the controller.

13. The adjustable bed system of claim 7 , wherein when the input representing the first state is received by the controller, the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

moving the first headboard independently from the second headboard; and

moving the first footboard independently from the second footboard such that the first adjustable foundation can be adjusted independently from the second adjustable foundation.

14. The adjustable bed system of claim 7 , wherein when the input representing the second state is received by the controller, the controller is configured to perform operations comprising:

controlling the first headboard to operate in coordination with the second headboard; and

controlling the first footboard to operate in coordination with the second footboard such that the first adjustable foundation is adjusted only in coordination with the second adjustable foundation while in the second operable configuration.

15. The adjustable bed system of claim 7 , wherein when the input representing the second state is received by the controller, the controller is configured to perform operations comprising:

controlling the first headboard to operate independently from the second headboard; and

controlling the first footboard to operate in coordination with the second footboard such that the first and second footboards are adjusted only in coordination while in the second operable configuration.

16. The controller of claim 1 , wherein, in the first operable configuration, the controller is configured to operate both the at least one portion of the first sleep area and the at least one portion of the second sleep area in response to receiving a control signal to operate the at least one portion of the first sleep area.

17. The controller of claim 1 , wherein, in the first operable configuration, the controller is configured to prevent the at least one portion of the first sleep area from operating independently from the at least one portion of the second sleep area.

18. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving instructions to perform a firmware update; and

based on receiving instructions to perform the firmware update, performing the firmware update.

19. The controller of claim 18 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

after performing the firmware update, determining a success or a failure of the firmware update.

20. The controller of claim 19 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

after determining the success or the failure of the firmware update, transmitting a status message representing the success or the failure of the firmware update.

21. A bed system comprising:

the controller of claim 1 ; and

a central controller in communication with the controller, wherein the central controller functions as a hub of the bed system and the controller functioning as a spoke of the bed system, wherein the central controller is configured to transmit a control signal to control the controller, and wherein the central controller is configured to transmit a software update to the controller.

22. The bed system of claim 21 , wherein the central controller is further configured to act as a relay between the controller and a remote control.

23. A controller for an adjustable bed system, the controller comprising an encoder device, the controller configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving an input representing one of a first state or a second state for an adjustable foundation, the adjustable foundation configured to support at least one mattress and having a first sleep area for a first user and a second sleep area for a second user, wherein the first state corresponds to a head portion of the first sleep area, a foot portion of the first sleep area, a head portion of the second sleep area, and a foot portion of the second sleep area being in a first operable configuration, and wherein the second state corresponds to the head portion of the first sleep area, the foot portion of the first sleep area, the head portion of the second sleep area, and the foot portion of the second sleep area being in a second operable configuration, the adjustable foundation comprising a first adjustable foundation corresponding to the first sleep area, the first adjustable foundation comprising a first headboard and a first footboard; and a second adjustable foundation corresponding to the second sleep area, the second adjustable foundation comprising a second headboard and a second footboard, the encoder device coupled to the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, and the second footboard, the encoder device configured to perform operations comprising:

detecting at least one of an angular position or a motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard; and

transmitting a signal representing one or more of the angular position or the motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard to the controller; and

based on receiving the input representing the first state or the second state, operating at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area, the foot portion of the first sleep area, the head portion of the second sleep area, or the foot portion of the second sleep area to achieve the first operable configuration or the second operable configuration, respectively, wherein operating at least one of the head portion of the first sleep area, the foot portion of the first sleep area, the head portion of the second sleep area, or the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises:

coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area; and

coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area, wherein coordinating movement of the head portion of the first sleep area and the head portion of the second sleep area and coordinating movement of the foot portion of the first sleep area and the foot portion of the second sleep area comprises:

receiving the signal representing one or more of the angular position or the motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard from the encoder device;

comparing the angular position or the motion of the first headboard to the angular position or the motion of the second headboard;

based on a result of comparing the angular position or the motion of the first headboard to the angular position or the motion of the second headboard, determining whether the first headboard is moving at a same speed as the second headboard; and

based on determining that the first headboard is not moving at the same speed as the second headboard, generating instructions to speed up or slow down movement of one or more of the first headboard and the second headboard.

24. The adjustable bed system of claim 23 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving the signal representing one or more of the angular position or the motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard from the encoder device;

comparing the angular position or the motion of the first headboard to the angular position or the motion of the second headboard;

based on a result of comparing the angular position or the motion of the first headboard to the angular position or the motion of the second headboard, determining whether the first headboard is at the same position as the second headboard; and

based on determining that the first headboard is not at the same position as the second headboard, generating instructions to move one or more of the first headboard or the second headboard to the same position.

25. The adjustable bed system of claim 23 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving the signal representing one or more of the angular position or the motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard from the encoder device;

comparing the angular position or the motion of the first footboard to the angular position or the motion of the second footboard;

based on a result of comparing the angular position or the motion of the first footboard to the angular position or the motion of the second footboard, determining whether the first footboard is moving at the same speed as the second footboard; and

based on determining that the first footboard is not moving at the same speed as the second footboard, generating instructions to speed up or slow down movement of one or more of the first footboard and the second footboard.

26. The adjustable bed system of claim 23 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving the signal representing one or more of the angular position or the motion of one or more of the first headboard, the first footboard, the second headboard, or the second footboard from the encoder device;

comparing the angular position or the motion of the first footboard to the angular position or the motion of the second footboard;

based on a result of comparing the angular position or the motion of the first footboard to the angular position or the motion of the second footboard, determining whether the first footboard is at the same position as the second footboard; and

based on determining that the first footboard is not at the same position as the second footboard, generating instructions to move one or more of the first footboard or the second footboard to the same position.

27. An adjustable bed system comprising:

a plurality of adjustable foundations, each adjustable foundation configured to be positioned side-by-side with the other of the adjustable foundations;

a plurality of actuators, each actuator of the plurality of actuators coupled to a respective adjustable foundation; and

a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of actuators, the controller comprising a configurable switch, the configurable switch configurable by a user setting up the plurality of adjustable foundations, the controller configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving an input from the configurable switch representing one of a first state or a second state, the first state corresponding to a first operable configuration of the plurality of adjustable foundations, the second state corresponding to a second operable configuration of the plurality of adjustable foundations, wherein first and second portions of the respective plurality of adjustable foundations move in coordination in the first state and do not move in coordination in and

based on the input according to either the first operable configuration or the second operable configuration of the plurality of adjustable foundations and the input indicating a position of one or more of the plurality of adjustable foundations, operating the plurality of actuators.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (7)

References Cited (213)