SMART BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/548,977, entitled “SMART BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM,” filed on Feb. 2, 2024. The content of this U.S. provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to body supporting systems and devices such as mattress, chair, car seat, etc., and their operating methods, and in particular to body supporting systems and devices with adjustable firmness, and related operating methods and firmness adjusting devices.

Description of Related Art

Body supporting devices and systems such as mattress are employed to support at least part of a body e.g. a human body. As an example, a mattress is used for a user to sleep on and thus is configured to support the user's body when the user is sleeping on the mattress. In addition to mattress, there are numerous other types of body supporting devices and systems such as e.g. chairs, car seats, chair cushions, and etc. It is to be understood that the list of body supporting devices and systems identified above is not exhaustive and that these and other body supporting devices and systems can be used with the present disclosure and are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that a reference in this specification to any one such device or system, such as a “mattress” is to be taken to be a reference to any and all other suitable body supporting devices and systems including chairs, car seats and the like.

By way of example, with a user lying or sitting on, a mattress provides a support to counteract the weight or part of the weight of the user. In particular, the mattress distributes the weight from the body of the user over a part of the surface of the mattress. Depending on how a mattress distributes the weight of the user and/or how much support a mattress provides, the mattress will be either soft or firm. The firmness of a mattress depends on e.g. the properties of the resilient or elastic elements in the mattress, such as the spring constant, and how the resilient or elastic elements are mounted in the mattress, such as the degree of clamping or pre-tensioning. Consequently, the firmness of a mattress is normally configured and/or set during its manufacturing. Similarly, the same applies to other body supporting devices and systems.

It is understood that, the perception and preference to firmness vary from one person to another. Additionally, it is understood that different body parts of a user who is lying or sitting or leaning on a body supporting device or system may require different support from the body supporting device or system and thus require different firmness. It is further understood that body shape/outline varies from one person to another, which in turn requires different support and thus different firmness from different areas of the body supporting device or system. Further, in consideration of the potential movement of a user on a body supporting device or system e.g. during sleep or sitting or leaning, it is desirable for an adjustable firmness of the body supporting device or system, in order for an optimal support and an optimal user experience.

Therefore, a need exists for body supporting devices and systems with adjustable firmness, and their operating methods and firmness adjusting devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In various implementations, there is described an intelligent mattress system that utilizes a computer program and pressure sensors to generate a detailed map of the user's body based on various resting and sleeping positions. The system can accurately determine key body parts' locations, such as hips and shoulders, and dynamically adjust the mattress to ensure optimal comfort and support. The program calculates hip width and utilizes pattern recognition technology to adapt to different body positions, maintaining a straight backbone. Furthermore, the system uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to learn from the pattern of the user's body on the mattress. The system can calibrate the mattress depth dynamically and can adjust actuators for optimal support during varying sleeping or resting postures.

This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various preferred embodiments of the present invention described herein can be better understood by those skilled in the art when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and any reference numeral identifying an element in one drawing will represent the same element throughout the drawings. The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a mattress;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a side cross-section view of a mattress, showing its layered construction;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a user lying on her/his back on a mattress.

FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrates a user lying on the side on the mattress.

FIG. 5 illustrates various body angles of a user while lying on a mattress according to different embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a mattress system according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates various body positions of a user while lying on a mattress according to different embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate pressure point formation on a user's body according to different embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate pressure point alteration on a user's body according to an embodiment of the invention.

Although the features outlined in this document can be subject to different modifications and alternative configurations, the specific embodiments presented in the illustrations and detailed descriptions serve as examples. It's important to note that these drawings and detailed explanations are not meant to restrict the concept to the disclosed form. On the contrary, the goal is to encompass all variations, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter, as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure is directed to a body supporting systems and devices such as mattress and their operating methods, and in particular to body supporting systems and devices with adjustable firmness, and related operating methods and firmness adjusting devices.

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples can be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth functions of the examples and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different examples.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments of the described subject matter. It is to be appreciated, however, that such embodiments can be practiced without these specific details.

Various features of the subject disclosure are now described in more detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals generally refer to like or corresponding elements throughout. The drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form described. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Now referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, various features of the subject disclosure are now described in more detail with respect to automatically adjusting the mattress based on user's lying position to straighten the backbone.

As an example of a body supporting device, a mattress is filled with resilient or elastic material such as foam, rubber, or an arrangement of coiled springs, and is used for the user to lie or sleep on. It is to be understood that a reference in this specification to a mattress is to be taken to be a reference to any and all possible appropriate types of body supporting devices or systems, and a reference in this specification to any type of mattress such as foam mattress is to be taken to be a reference to any and all possible appropriate types of mattresses.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a conventional mattress 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mattress 100 has a length L, a width W, and a height H.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a side cross section view of a prior art mattress, showing its layered construction, wherein the cross section is taken along line A-A as illustrated in FIG. 1. The conventional mattress 100 may be composed of multiple layers. For example, the mattress 100 may be composed of three layers, e.g. three layers of foam, a support layer 120, a transition layer 140, and a comfort layer 160. These layers can be arranged one over another. In particular, the transition layer 140 may be arranged over the support layer 120, while the comfort layer 160 may be arranged over the transition layer 140. In general, the firmness/hardness of these three layers increases successively from top to bottom. That is, the comfort layer 160 is soft, the transition layer 140 is harder, and the support layer 120 is even harder. Thus, the comfort layer 160 is capable of compressing more, the transition layer 140 is capable of compressing less, and the support layer 120 is capable of compressing the least. It is appreciated that there might exist additional layer(s) 170n in a mattress. It is also appreciated that the layers 120, 140, 160 and/or 170n may have same or different thicknesses. As an example, the thickness of the layers 120, 140, and 160 may increase successively from top to bottom, in which case the support layer 120 is of a first thickness T1, the transition layer 140 is of a second thickness T2 that is smaller than T1, while the comfort layer 160 is of a third thickness T3 that is smaller than T2.

When a user sleeps or sits on a mattress, the weight of the user applies a pressure over a part (an area) of the surface of the mattress, and therefore requires a support from the mattress. It is understood that when a force is applied on a mattress, the top surface of that mattress sags or is compressed/depressed at the area where the force is applied. It is also understood that the force applied on the top surface of the mattress does not only result in the compression/depression in the top layer (e.g. the comfort layer 160) of the mattress. Instead, under the force applied on the top surface of a mattress, successive bottom layers of the mattress are compressed/decompressed. For example, more than one layer of the mattress can be compressed/depressor and/or all the layers of the mattress can be compressed/depressed accordingly. In consideration of the different firmness of the layers, the compression/depression in each layer may be different. It is further appreciated that when a person is situated (e.g. lies or sits) on a mattress, her/his weight is applied onto the corresponding areas of the mattress, which results in the sag of the top surface of the mattress in those areas and also results in the respective compression/depression in each layer of the mattress in those areas. In a conventional mattress, it may be difficult to control the depression of the mattress at various locations when a user is resting. Therefore, a conventional mattress may fail to keep the spine of the user straight. In some cases, the mattress may be able to keep the spine straight when the user is lying or resting on the mattress in “lying on back” position. However, when the user is lying on the side at an angle from the mattress, the conventional mattress may depress non-uniformly. For example, the mattress in areas of hips and shoulders may depress more than torso and legs. Therefore, the goal of the invention is to provide an active mattress that can dynamically adjust the depression in different layers to straighten the spine of the user resting on the mattress. Additionally, invention provides a method to personalize the mattress depression settings for desired comfort by creating depression profiles and customized calibration.

The invention discloses an active mattress 200 comprising at least two layers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the layers may be made of foam material similar to a conventional mattress. The primary purpose of the layers in the active mattress 200 is to distribute force from the body of a person positioned on the mattress in a way such that the backbone/spine of the person is aligned in a natural form while the person is lying down on the mattress. In order to maintain the proper alignment of the backbone for an individual resting on the mattress, it is crucial to accurately identify the positions of the hips and shoulders of the person on the mattress surface. It is to be recognized that the description of key joints such as hips and shoulders is provided solely for illustrative purposes. Nevertheless, the multiple layers of the active mattress 200 are designed to support the human body's joints in a natural alignment. In a primary embodiment, the invention enables the mattress to align all primary joints of the human body such as shoulders, hands, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, feet etc. in such a manner that no undue pressure is exerted on any of the bone structures due to unnatural alignment. In the primary embodiment, the natural alignment of the body should be considered as the skeletal alignment of the human body.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the mattress 200 may comprise three or more layers. In an embodiment, a pressure sensor layer comprising an array of pressure sensors may be positioned between the top two layers of the mattress 200. In an example embodiment, the pressure sensor layer may be inserted between the transition layer 240, and the comfort layer 260 of the mattress 200. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensor layer houses an array of approximately 1000 pressure sensors that collectively generate a body map when the user is lying on the mattress. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensors are arranged in a X-Y matrix format. The pressure sensors are specifically designed to be thin and flexible, adapting seamlessly to the contours of the individual's body. In some embodiments of the invention, the pressure sensors may be covered with a lightweight fabric like nylon taffeta and may incorporate buckles, straps, or other attachment methods to secure the pressure sensor layer to the active mattress 200. In one or more embodiments of the invention, various types of pressure sensors employed in the pressure sensor layer may include, but not limited to, resistive pressure sensors, fiber-optic pressure sensors, or capacitive pressure sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom layer (support layer 220) of the active mattress comprises actuators to adjust the height of the mattress. In some embodiments, the actuators may be evenly distributed at every 2-4 inches for example, throughout the mattress.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a computer program can control the actuators to adjust the mattress height for a particular user to straighten the backbone. In some embodiments, the computer program can control the actuators to adjust the height of the bottom layer of the mattress. In another embodiment of the invention, the computer program can adjust the hardness of the mattress or the height of the bottom layer at a plurality of locations or areas on the mattress. Furthermore, the computer program can adjust the hardness of the mattress at certain areas in such a way that the mattress can let the user's body parts sink in to keep the spine aligned. For example, the active mattress can be imagined as a plurality of (e.g. thousands) of actuators arranged in a matrix format at multiple points, each representing a specific area of the mattress. The active mattress can finely control the hardness at multiple locations across the mattress through thousands of actuators arranged in a matrix format at one or more bottom layers. In the primary embodiment of the invention, the computer program can dynamically adjust either the hardness or the height, or both for one or more bottom layers on thousands of different points, ensuring proper alignment of the user's body while resting on the mattress. The computer program may adjust the height and/or hardness in such a way that may cause certain parts of the body to sag or not sag enough into the mattress and provide proper alignment.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention, height adjusting actuators may be provided in the bottom support layer 220. The height adjusting actuators may be implemented with various techniques known in the art. In some embodiments of the invention, one or more actuators may enable a change in the firmness of the mattress at one or more areas of the mattress. In an example embodiment, a method to push or pull the bottom layers of the mattress using actuators can be provided. It should be understood that any suitable method can be used to adjust the firmness of the mattress using actuators.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pressure or depression profile of a user can be created when the user is lying or resting on the mattress in various positions. The pressure or depression profile can be generated based on the pressure applied to the pressure sensors in the pressure sensor layer. The pressure profile may further enable to determine shape and outline of the user's body, location and/or position of various body parts such as hips, shoulders, legs, arms, etc. and/or height and weight of the user. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a pressure or depression profile on the mattress can be obtained when the user 350 is lying on her/his back on the mattress 300 e.g. with her/his spine/backbone and neck being straight and stretched. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pressure/depression profile may be created when a user is lying on her/his side on a mattress with her/his backbone/spine and neck straight and stretched, from which it is possible to determine or assess the user's body shape or outline, e.g. the width of the user's body and width of various body parts. In an example embodiment, the width of the hips, the width of the shoulders, the size and length of the legs and arms, etc. can be determined. In certain embodiments, other methods known in the art including but not limited to optical, thermal, or vision can be used to identify and determine the shape/size of different body parts of the user on the mattress. In some embodiments of the inventions, a thermal, optical or vision system can be used to determine the width of the user's body while lying in certain positions. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the pressure/depression profile obtained when a user is lying on her/his side on a mattress with her/his backbone/spine and neck straight and stretched, the firmness or sag of the mattress may be adjusted. According to another embodiment of the invention, the identified pressure profiles can be stored in a database with one or more physical attributes of the user. The stored pressure profiles may be used to identify the user and his/her preferred and recommended height settings to straighten the spine and provide a comfortable sleep.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to further improve the firmness adjustment of a mattress, pressure profiles on the mattress may be further detected when the person is lying on the mattress in positions other than her/his lying on back position. The pressure profiles detected at standard positions may be used as a reference or baseline to assess or determine the actual position (e.g. tilt angle of the person, the location and position of her/his hip, shoulder, etc.) of the person on the mattress, based on which the firmness of the top surface of the mattress in certain area(s) is in turn adjusted accordingly so as to straighten the person's backbone. In some embodiments, a pattern recognition algorithm may be used to create pressure profiles of the user at various sleeping positions based on the collected data at standard lying positions of the user.

In practice, a user may lie on her/his back on a mattress at first, which may be referred to as a “lying on back” position. While lying on the mattress 200 or 300, the user may roll her/his body to a side (e.g. to left) consecutively and slowly, resulting in tilt positions. The user may continue to roll her/his body to that side until the user reaches a “lying on belly” position, in which the user lies on her/his belly on the mattress with her/his face being downwards toward the mattress and her/his back facing upwards.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates several exemplary positions of a person lying on a mattress. The position 310 as illustrated in FIG. 5 represents a “lying on back” position of a person lying on a mattress 300, in which the person lies on her/his back on the mattress 300 and faces upward, wherein 362 represents the person's head, 364 represents the person's left shoulder, while 366 represents the person's right shoulder.

FIG. 5 also illustrates a tilt position 320 of the person lying on the mattress 300, in which the person rolls her/his body, from her/his “lying on back” position, to left at a tilt angle a1, resulting in at least her/his right half body (including her/his right shoulder) being at the tilt angle a1 from the plane of the top surface of the mattress 300. As an example, the tilt angle a1 may be 30 degrees.

The person may roll her/his body, from the tilt position 320, further to left to a tilt angle a2, resulting in at least her/his right half body (including her/his right shoulder) being at the tilt angle a2 from the plane of the top surface of the mattress 300, which position is referred to as a tilt position 330. As an example, the tilt angle a2 may be 60 degrees.

Furthermore, the person may continue to roll her/his body, from the tilt position 330, further to left to a tilt angle a3 e.g. 90 degree (referred to as a tilt position 340 in FIG. 5), resulting in her/his body (including her/his left and right shoulders) being at the tilt angle a3 from (e.g. perpendicular to) the plane of the top surface of the mattress 300.

Also, the person may roll her/his body, from the tilt position 340, further to left to a tilt angle a4 (referred to as a tilt position 350 in FIG. 5), resulting in her/his body (including her/his left and right shoulders) being at the tilt angle a4 from the plane of the top surface of the mattress 300, and the person facing downwards toward the mattress 300 and having her/his back facing upwards. As an example, the tilt angle a4 may be 150 degrees.

The person may even roll her/his body, from the tilt position 350, further to left to a tilt angle 180 degree, i.e. to a “lying on belly” position, in which the person lies on her/his belly on the mattress 300 with her/his face being towards the mattress 300 and her/his back facing upwards.

During the process when a person rolls on a mattress e.g. the mattress 300 as illustrated in FIG. 5 her/his body from a “lying on back” position (e.g. “lying on back” position 310 as illustrated in FIG. 5) to a “lying on belly” position, a plurality of pressure profiles may be detected or determined, e.g. by using pressure sensors, at the “lying on back” position e.g. 310 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and at several tilt positions e.g. the tilt positions 320, 330, 340, and 350 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a user is instructed to lie down in different tilt positions on the mattress in order to create a baseline. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the pressure profile detected at “lying on back” position, the pressure profiles detected at several tilt positions may be used as reference or baseline in adjusting the firmness of the top surface of the mattress. In particular, when the user is lying on the mattress, her/his actual position may be assessed or determined by using the pressure profiles detected at tilt positions and detected at “lying on back” position as reference or baseline, and then the firmness of the one or more layers of the mattress can be adjusted by actuating the different parts of the mattress based on the user's actual position as assessed or determined, so as to straighten her/his backbone/spine. It should be understood that the actuation means can be used to adjust the height and/or hardness of the mattress, which includes a change in the depth of the bottom layer, a change in the firmness of the mattress or any layer in a localized position across the mattress.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to provide a mattress with adjustable firmness, e.g. in order to adjust the firmness or height of the top surface of a mattress, a plurality of adjusting devices may be provided in one of the bottom layers (not in the top layer) of the mattress, such as the support layer or the transition layer, e.g. the support layer 220 or transition layer 240 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a user 350 lying on her/his back on a mattress 300, in which case it is believed that her/his spine/backbone and neck is straight and stretched or the user 350 is instructed to stretch her/his spine/backbone and neck. By using sensors such as pressure sensors e.g. those embedded in the mattress, a pressure or depression profile/map on the mattress 300 (in the top surface or in a specific layer of the mattress) can be obtained when the user 350 is lying on her/his back on the mattress 300 e.g. with her/his spine/backbone and neck being straight and stretched, based on which it is possible to determine or assess the user's body shape or outline, e.g. the location and/or the width of the user's hip, shoulder, neck, etc., and/or the weight of the person.

It is understood that a person may prefer to sleep on her/his side, rather than on her/his back. And even for a person who prefers to sleep on her/his back, it is possible for her/him to roll to the side when sleeping.

Similar to when lying on her/his back, it is desired to keep the person's spine/backbone and neck straight and stretched when she/he is lying on her/his side on a mattress. However, it is impossible to achieve this by using a mattress with fixed firmness, because the size of head, the width of shoulder, and/or the width of hip, etc. as well as their locations on the mattress varies from one person to another.

According to a primary embodiment of the invention, when a user is resting on the mattress 200, 300 on his back, the mattress system can determine data such as the width of the hips and shoulders of the user at a first instance. At a second instance, when the user is resting on the mattress at a side sleeping position (either left or right), the mattress system can determine how much to depress the mattress to straighten the backbone of the user. The mattress system forms a baseline for the user when the user is lying on his/her back on the mattress at the first instance. Further, the mattress system can use this baseline to adjust the height of the one or more layers of the mattress in subsequent instances. Additionally, the mattress system can use this baseline to adjust the hardness or softness of the mattress. Therefore, the mattress system uses body measurement data from a first body position on the mattress to determine the depth of the mattress for a second body position, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Similarly, actuators can adjust the height of the mattress using the data from the original body position, or baseline data, and the current body position of the user on the mattress.

In the context of the hip region, if the mattress exhibits excessive firmness, the hips may not be adequately depressed into the mattress, resulting in an undue bending of the spine. Conversely, a mattress that is overly soft may cause excessive depression of the hips into the mattress, contributing to an undesirable bending of the spine. The mattress system can selectively soften the mattress at the hip location using actuators to depress the one or more bottom layers. This ensures that the hips are depressed into the mattress more such that a straight spine alignment is provided. Similarly, for the shoulder region, the mattress system should be able to depress the mattress at the location of the shoulder such that the neck and spine are in straighter alignment during the side-sleeping position. The width of the user's shoulder is determined when the user is lying on his/her back. Once the user rolls to the side-sleeping position, the mattress system can precisely adjust the mattress and depress the shoulder so the neck and spine are aligned straight.

Furthermore, the mattress system can adjust the height of the mattress at the location of the other body joints to keep the spine and other body joints aligned. For example, the lower part of the legs is not as heavy as the upper parts of the leg. Therefore, the mattress at the location of the lower part of the legs may not be as depressed as the location of the upper part of the legs. For the purpose of simplicity, the portion of the leg below the knee can be considered as the lower part and the portion of the leg above the knee can be considered as upper part. The weight distribution disparity between upper and lower leg segments may contemplate potential unnatural bending of the user's knees. In some situations, knees or ankles of the user may hurt due to the hardness of the mattress at some areas on the mattress. Therefore, the mattress system can be adjusted based on baseline data and current body position data (e.g. roll of body parts) to align body parts and mitigate discomfort and potential knee pain. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the mattress system may use the body measurement data to adjust the height of the bottom layer of the mattress. Further, the firmness of specific mattress sections can be adjusted based on the positions of the different leg segments on the mattress. For example, the softness of the mattress may vary at the lower part of the leg compared to the upper part through the utilization of actuators. The actuators on the mattress should be actuated differently for the leg positions above the knee and lower the knee. Generally, the mattress at the below knee position is depressed more than the mattress at the above knee position to provide a more natural alignment to the user's legs on the mattress. Similarly, the mattress firmness can also be adjusted differently around the user's ankles to provide support and more natural alignment. In a specific embodiment, for side sleepers, the mattress system can independently adjust the mattress height at various locations based on the positions of different parts of the user's legs-above and below the knee and around the ankles.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a smart mattress system comprises, a mattress, a plurality of actuators integrated with the mattress, and a controller configured to determine the dimensions of one or more body parts of a user resting on the mattress. The actuators can be adjusted to straighten the backbone of the user. The controller can determine the roll of one or more body parts of the user at different locations on the mattress and can adjust the actuators based on initial measurements of one or more body parts, user profile and body roll. In an example embodiment, the mattress system can determine the width of the hips or shoulders of the user on the mattress in at a first time instance, and can use the determined width at the first time instance and body roll to adjust the mattress depth at the hips or shoulder location to straighten the backbone at a second time instance. It should be understood that the body roll can interchangeably be used to represent shifting and/or changing the position of the body on the mattress. In some embodiments, the user can preset the depth of the mattress at one or more locations of certain body parts on the mattress. The mattress system can determine the depth of the mattress at certain locations of the mattress based on left or right sides of the side sleeping positions.

In an example as illustrated in FIG. 4A, it may be determined, from the pressure/depression profiles on the mattress e.g. obtained when the person is lying on her/his back and on her/his side on the mattress, how wide the person's hip and/or shoulder is and that a specific area e.g. 320 on the top surface of the mattress corresponds to the person's shoulder and a specific area e.g. 340 on the top surface of the mattress corresponds to her/his hip. Further, from the information (e.g. the width of hip, the width of shoulder, the weight of the person, etc.) derived from the pressure/depression profile e.g. obtained when the person is lying on her/his back on the mattress, it may be determined how soft these areas shall be and/or how much these areas shall sag, in order to straighten the person's spine/backbone and neck when the person is lying on her/his side on that mattress. Therefore, by using a mattress according to an embodiment of the present disclosure such as having the adjusting devices as described in the disclosure, based on the pressure profile detected when the person is lying on her/his back on the mattress, the firmness of each layer of the mattress may be adjusted dynamically when the person changes her/his lying position on the mattress e.g. lying on her/his side, so as to straighten her/his backbone/spine. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, based on the pressure profile detected when the person is lying on her/his back on the mattress, the roll of the user's body or different parts of the user's body can be determined and the firmness of each layer of the mattress may be adjusted dynamically when the person changes her/his lying position on the mattress. Again, body roll extends beyond the simple rolling of the body, it encompasses the shifting or changing the position of the user's body on the mattress.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the active mattress system 400 may comprise one or more computer software programs 406, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The software program 406 can generate a pressure map of the user's body on the mattress based on data received from the pressure sensors 407. The software program 406 can create various different pressure maps of the user's body based on different resting and sleeping positions. Additionally, the software can accurately determine the locations of the various body parts like hips and shoulders on the mattress 401. The software can also determine the width and/or proportions of the hips, shoulders and other body parts of the user while the user is in a ‘lying on back’ position. The software program 406 can keep track of the position of key body parts, such as the hips, legs, arms and shoulder, when the user transitions to side sleeping or any other position. In certain embodiments, the mattress system 400 may utilize pattern recognition technology or other suitable technology known in the art to determine the hip points and shoulder points on the mattress. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the software 406 may use the baseline pressure profile of the user on the mattress and utilize a machine learning algorithm to determine the position, location, rotation and alignment of various body parts of the user. After determining the position and angle of the body from the mattress 400, the software 406 may instruct the actuators 408 to adjust the height of the various layers of the mattress to straighten the spine of the user. For example, when a user changes his/her position from 90 degrees (a side sleeping position) to a non-standard angle such as 70 degrees, the height of the various layers of the mattress is adjusted. In this example, the mattress is depressed less at the location of the hips so the spine of the user is still straight.

A pattern recognition algorithm can recognize patterns of the user's body on the mattress based on data collected from the pressure sensors. When a person lies on the mattress and then rolls to the side, the system can determine the angle of the roll by tracking the positions of different body parts like hands, legs, and knees of the user on the mattress. The mattress system can also use the pressure data at the point of contact of different body parts of the user to accurately determine the roll angle. The roll angle of the upper body portion, like shoulders, can be determined separately from the roll of the lower body portion, like hips.

In an example embodiment, when a user is resting on the mattress in a side-sleeping position, the mattress may notice only one leg on the mattress due to the upper leg being positioned atop the lower leg. Utilizing the pressure exerted by the combined weight of both legs at a specific location on the mattress, the system can determine the position of the legs on the mattress. Consequently, the mattress can determine whether the user has rotated to a 90-degree angle on the mattress. When the user's second leg extends over and makes contact with the mattress, the body's position exceeds 90 degrees from a lying down on the back position. Conversely, if the second leg is straight and touches the opposite side of the mattress, the angle is less than 90 degrees. Additionally, the position of the lower leg and the alignment of the user's knees such as whether they press into the mattress or remain elevated, can provide the rotation of the hip. Therefore, based on the position of one leg over the other and the pressure on the mattress, the roll angle of the user's body on the mattress can be determined accurately.

Similarly, the rotation of the user's shoulder and the roll angle of the user's body can also be determined based on the positions of the arms and the amount of pressure exerted by the arms on the mattress. For example, when the user is lying on the side and the user's upper arm makes contact with the mattress, the accurate angle of the user's shoulder can be determined based on the position of the hand and the pressure profile. Additionally, while resting in a side sleeping position, the user may pull the shoulders forward or push them backward. The mattress system can assess the extent to which the shoulders are pulled forward or pushed backward using body pattern analysis, and determine the sag in the mattress to provide proper alignment of the backbone. Based on body patterns recognized by the mattress system, the mattress system can separately determine the roll of the hip, the roll of the shoulder and the roll of other body parts. Therefore, the mattress system can independently adjust the height of the mattress at the location of the hips, shoulders and other body parts/joints. In certain embodiments, the position of the shoulder with respect to the other body parts may play an important role in addition to the roll of the shoulder to determine the mattress sag and the adjusted mattress height. Therefore, it is important to determine these two parameters, roll and position, for the computation of mattress sag and to provide straight alignment of the neck and spine bones.

Additionally, the mattress system 400 can recognize different positions of a user's body when the user is positioned on the mattress 401. It should be understood that hips of the user should sink into the mattress to straighten the backbone. So, it is critical to determine the depth of the mattress depression to straighten the backbone of the user based on the body measurement of the user and the resting position. When the user is lying down on their back, the system may determine the hip width from the pressure profile of the user at this particular position. This information is then used to adjust actuators automatically to align the backbone and provide the user with a comfortable hip position to straighten the backbone.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the mattress system 400 enables to adjust both the hip-torso and head-shoulder depths to straighten the spine at various resting positions. During the initial use of the mattress, users or technicians can calibrate these depths to determine the user's comfort level or ensure the straightness of the backbone. It should also be understood that the calibration can be done for both the left and right sleeping positions. In another embodiment of the invention, the mattress system 400 may automatically adapt these depths depending on the side the user is lying on and may ensure proper alignment of the backbone/spine. However, it is critical to understand that the position of the body is not always at the right angle (90 degrees) to the mattress when the user is lying on the mattress resting or sleeping. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the adjustment to the hip-torso depth based on the actual angle between the body and the mattress, which can range from 0 to 180 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mattress system 400 can determine the rotation of the hips and the body of the user based on the pressure map of the body generated through the pressure sensors 407 embedded in the mattress 401. After determining the rotation of the hips, shoulders and other parts of the body, the mattress system 400 can use the actuators 408 to adjust the depth of the various layers of the mattress so that in the area of the hips, shoulder or other body parts the spine is straight. It should also be understood that the more the rotation of the hip, the more the actuators should be pulled down to straighten the backbone. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the user's second leg extends over and makes contact with the mattress, the body's position exceeds 90 degrees from a lying down on the back position. Conversely, if the second leg is straight and touches the opposite side of the mattress, the angle is less than 90 degrees. Additionally, observations of the position of the lower leg and the alignment of the user's knees such as whether they press into the mattress or remain elevated, may provide insights into the rotation of the hip.

In some embodiments of the inventions, the mattress system 400 may use artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze the sleeping position pattern of the user's body. The initial calibration of the mattress may be established at the maximum depth, precisely 90 degrees. However, as the user may assume various sleeping or resting postures, it is imperative to adapt the height of the mattress to ensure continued comfort and dynamic support by adjusting the actuators. For example, the height of the mattress is depressed maximum when the user is resting on the mattress at a side-sleeping position at 90 degrees to keep the spine aligned. As soon as the user rolls to the other body angles, 30 or 40 degrees, for example, the depression of the mattress should be adjusted or lowered to straighten and align the spine. Therefore, it is important to determine the rotation of the hips as well as the rotation of the shoulder. The mattress system can identify the patterns of the different body parts of the user on the mattress and the AI algorithm can automatically determine the rotation of the different body parts such as hips, shoulders, legs, etc. of the user using the identified patterns. After determining the rotation of user's body parts, the mattress system can adjust the height of the mattress at the location of the respective body parts to properly align the spine. The actuators are responsible for adjusting the mattress to provide an optimal sleeping or resting experience. The system may leverage AI and pattern recognition methodologies to achieve adaptability in the mattress. The AI component processes the body pattern data and discerns the rotational angle of the hips and other body parts. The rotational information can be used as the key input for determining the appropriate depth to which the actuators should be adjusted. Therefore, the system intelligently calibrates the pull-down depth based on the observed rotation of the user's body.

According to another embodiment, in addition to adjusting for the hips, the program may also determine the rotation of the shoulder or shift in the shoulder's position to provide a comfortable mattress position for the user while keeping the backbone straight. However, unlike the hips, shoulders not only rotate but can also assume varied alignments with respect to the head and the rest of the body. Additionally, certain body parts, such as shoulders, do not necessarily rotate, there may be just a change in position like a shift. For example, the user may bend the shoulders forward or backward and assume different positions. Therefore, it is important to determine not only the rotation but also the bending of the shoulders forward or backward to know the new position. The new position data can be used to determine the change in the pressure profile. Furthermore, while sleeping or resting on the mattress, users may have their shoulders folded or precisely aligned with the body. The system can dynamically determine a current sleep position of the user including the rotations and positions of body parts using the pressure sensor data. The system adjusts the head-shoulder depth based on the data gathered by pressure sensors embedded in the mattress. As the user rests, the pressure sensors capture data about the shoulder's position in relation to the head and the overall body. This information may be used for determining the optimal adjustment needed not only for the shoulders but also for the neck position. The pressure sensors may act as a responsive system, discerning subtle variations in shoulder alignment. This precision can help in making nuanced adjustments and ensuring that the neck position is aligned perfectly for each individual user. By dynamically adapting to the user's specific shoulder alignment, the support for the neck is controlled, contributing to an ideal posture during sleep and a straight backbone.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the mattress system 400 may include a Graphical User Interface (GUI) 403 and/or a user interface device. In such embodiments, the user can use the Graphical User Interface (GUI) to control the depression settings and personalize the mattress using the user interface device. In some embodiments, a control system 402 controls the operation of the mattress. In some embodiments, the control system 402 comprises a central processing system (CPU) 404 and a communication interface 405 to communicate wirelessly or using a wired connection to the mattress or other computing devices. The control system 402 may also comprise a user interface 403, which can comprise a touch panel in some example embodiments. The control system 402 may also be able to connect to one or more external user interface device such as a laptop computer, tablet computer, or smart phone device using the communication interface 405. In some embodiments of the invention, the system can store the user's personalized mattress settings in a database in the memory 408 provided on the control system 402 or on a cloud server. In some embodiments, the system may also learn from the feedback from the users. In an alternate embodiment, the system may use the pressure profile to identify users and apply personalized settings.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user can manually adjust the depression depths of the mattress at positions of one or more body parts while resting/lying on the mattress using the user interface 403. Initially, when the user is resting on his/her back, the width of the hips and shoulders is determined by the control system 402 of the mattress. Once the user rolls to the side on any angle, the control system 402 of the mattress determines and adjusts the height of the mattress at the location of the respective body parts. However, in certain situations, the user may not like the automatically adjusted height of the mattress and may instead desire more or less sag of the mattress to achieve optimal comfort. In a preferred embodiment, the user may manually adjust the height of the mattress at the location of various body parts for his/her best comfort using the user interface 403. In an example embodiment, when the user rolls to a 90-degree position from the initial resting on the back position, the mattress system records the maximum sag of the mattress. The user may use the user interface 403 to input a preferred sag for the 90-degree position. For example, if the maximum sag is 2 inches, the user may input a preferred sag of 1 inch at the 90 degree position. The mattress may adjust the sag of the mattress to the user's preferred height. In additional embodiments, the mattress may use the user's preferred height at the 90 degree position to automatically adjust the height of the mattress at different body roll angles. For example, when the user rolls to an 80-degree roll position, the mattress system may adjust the sag to a percentage (for example, 90%) of the 1-inch sag preferred by the user at the 90-degree position. Further, when the user rolls to a 45-degree roll angle, the mattress system may adjust the sag to another percentage (for example, 75%) of the 1-inch sag preferred by the user at the 90-degree position. Similarly, when the user rolls to a 30-degree roll angle, the mattress system may adjust the sag to another percentage (for example, 50%) of the 1-inch sag preferred by the user at the 90-degree position. In one embodiment, the mattress system may adjust the sag of the mattress equally for the left and right sleeping positions of the user. In another embodiment, the user may use the user interface 403 to specify different preferred sag values for left and right sleeping positions. Therefore, the mattress depression can be manually customized to a user's preferred percentages for each specific sleeping side as per their comfort. In certain embodiments, the mattress system can learn from the user's preferences. In certain embodiments, the preferred sag and/or depression percentage for the left sleeping positions and right sleeping positions can be stored in the memory of the mattress system. The mattress system can fetch the preferred user setting from the memory and apply once user lies down on the mattress and is identified by the mattress system.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention, a smart body support system, such as a smart mattress can adjust the height of the mattress to adjust the firmness at multiple locations on the mattress. When a user is positioned at a side resting position on the mattress, the system automatically adjusts the depression of the mattress at locations of certain body parts, for example, hips, such that a proper skeletal alignment is provided to the user's body. Additionally, the user can input a maximum desired adjustment such that when the user changes the resting position and/or the user's body rolls on the mattress, the system automatically adjusts/reduces the depression of the mattress based on the body roll and the maximum desired adjustment. Furthermore, the user can input desired adjustments for the left-side resting positions and the right-side resting positions.

According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the smart body support system can help reduce pressure ulcers, for example, for people with limited mobility. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure sores, are a real concern for individuals who are bedridden or have limited mobility. When continuous pressure is applied to specific areas of the body, it can lead to reduced blood flow to those areas, causing the skin and underlying tissues to become damaged. Certain parts of the body of a person with limited mobility, like the heels, back, and hips, are particularly vulnerable and may form pressure points. To prevent pressure sores, caregivers often need to reposition or turn bedridden individuals regularly. It's a crucial part of maintaining their skin health and overall well-being. However, changing the position or rotating the bedridden individual may not be regularly possible.

The smart bedding or body support system disclosed in the various embodiments of the invention can create a pressure profile of the user lying on the body support system. In some embodiments, the body support system could include, but not limited to, a mattress, a chair, a hospital bed etc. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure profile can be used to determine the pressure points on the mattress.

FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary pressure point at position 801 for explanatory purposes. In the figure, position 801 corresponds to a pressure point on a user's hip. However, the user's body on the mattress may have multiple pressure points. In some embodiments of the invention, the mattress system can identify one or more pressure points using the pressure profile and reduce the pressure around the one or more pressure points. For example, the mattress system can equalize pressure around a pressure point to eliminate the high-pressure point at the position 801, as shown in FIG. 8A. In another embodiment, the pressure point can be changed periodically from the pressure point at position 801. For example, the pressure point can be shifted from position 801 to position 802-a and/or 802-b by changing the pressure of the mattress and releasing the high pressure from the position 801. The mattress system can create multiple alternate pressure points around a high pressure point to reduce pressure on the high pressure point. As shown in FIG. 8B, in one embodiment, the pressure points at positions 802 a-n may form a circle around the pressure point 801 and transfer the pressure away from the position 801. In other embodiments, pressure points at positions 802 a-n may form any regular or irregular shape. In additional embodiments, the mattress system can reverse the pressure point alteration operation and increase pressure the position 801 while releasing positions 802 a-n and others as pressure points. For example, the mattress system can create a periodic or cyclic pressure point alteration pattern. Shifting pressure points periodically is essential since removing pressure from one area simply redirects it elsewhere, as the user's body still needs support. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the pressure points are moved periodically away and back to the original point in a repetitive manner.

In another embodiment of the invention, the body support system can identify one or more bony prominences on the user's body and alter pressure points around the one or more bony prominences. Bony prominences are parts of a body with limited subcutaneous tissue over a bone and the skin that overlies a bony prominence is more prone to pressure ulceration than more padded body parts. For example, back or sides of the head, shoulder blades, hip, lower back or tailbone, heels, ankles and skin behind the knees etc. are prone to pressure ulcers. To reduce pressure ulcer formation on a user's body, in addition to high pressure points determined from the pressure profile, the body support system can identify bony prominences on the user's body or other statistically known body parts prone to pressure ulcers and alter pressure around these points.

Generally, pressure ulcers are formed at bony prominences but pressure ulcers could exist on other body parts too. The objective of the invention is to reduce pressure not only from bony prominence areas on a user's body to minimize the risk of pressure ulcers but also from other areas statistically prone to bed sores based on historical data. The body support system can identify bony prominences and other areas on the user's body statistically prone to pressure ulcers based on the pressure profile of the user.

In one embodiment of the invention, the body support system can alter pressure around identified areas on the user's body in a way that new pressure points can be created in fleshy areas. The body support system can move the pressure points on the user's body by reducing the firmness of the body support system at the bony prominences and areas statistically prone to pressure ulcers. The body support system can adjust the height of one or more bottom layers to form a depression in the mattress, consequently reducing the pressure on the bony prominences and areas statistically prone to pressure ulcers. It should be understood that reducing the pressure at one point subsequently increases the pressure at other points on the user's body, as the overall pressure or weight of the user's body will be the same. Therefore, reducing pressure on one point on the user's body can increase the pressure at another point.

In the preferred embodiment, the body support system can initiate an iterative process starting by reducing pressure at bony prominences and areas statistically prone to pressure ulcers and gradually shifting the pressure to other areas on the user's body. This iterative process continues until the pressure is predominantly directed to the fleshier areas on the user's body. In some embodiments, the body support system can identify statistically less prone areas to pressure ulcers on the user's body, typically fleshy areas, and transfers pressure from bony prominences and statistically prone areas through a cyclic and iterative pressure point alteration process. Further, the body support system can equalize the pressure among high pressure point areas through the iterative process. Therefore, the overall objective of the invention is to equalize the pressure among high pressure point areas and minimize the pressure on dangerous areas while avoiding the formation of new high pressure points. The pressure points should be cycled slowly among statistically less prone or flesher areas. Therefore, the body support system can alter pressure around high pressure points through a periodic or cyclic pressure point alteration pattern such that new pressure points are created in fleshy areas. In one or more embodiments, the body support system can include an algorithm for identifying bony prominences and areas on the user's body statistically prone to pressure ulcers using the pressure profile. The body support system can also identify new pressure points when the user changes position on the body support system. As described supra, the algorithm can alter pressure around the identified high pressure points by transferring pressure to alternate pressure points.

FIG. 9A shows a pressure point at position 901 corresponding to the user's heel. The algorithm can identify position 901 as a high pressure point and determine alternate pressure positions 902 and 903 to reduce pressure from position 901 on a user's leg. As shown in the figure, position 902 can correspond to the user's ankle and position 903 can correspond to the user's calf muscle. In one embodiment, the algorithm can identify that position 902 is a bony prominence (i.e. the ankle is lightly padded with subcutaneous tissue) and position 903 is more padded (i.e. calf has more subcutaneous tissue or flesh). The algorithm can alter the pressure point from position 901 in a way that more pressure is transferred to position 903 than to position 902, in order to avoid pressure ulcer formation at the bony prominence position 902. As described supra, the pressure from point 901 can be reduced and/or adjusted by altering the height of one or more layers of the mattress using actuators and motors. In an example embodiment, the motors on the body support system can pull the mattress layers down at points 901 and 902, transferring the pressure at point 903. In this way, a new pressure point at position 903 can be created for an instance. In alternate embodiments, the algorithm can additionally alter the pressure point from position 903 to one or more positions 903 a-n around position 903. For example, pressure points at positions 903 a-n may form any regular (e.g. circular) or irregular shape. In another example embodiment, the algorithm may periodically transfer the high pressure point form position 903 to one or more positions 903a, 903b, 903 c-n. In a preferred embodiment, the algorithm may periodically transfer the high pressure points between positions 901, 902, 903, 903a-n to avoid pressure ulcer formation at any point on the user's leg and ensure healthy blood circulation throughout the leg. The algorithm can iteratively and periodically check to identify new pressure points to move the pressure around the currently selected pressure point based on the already determined body profile.

In a further embodiment, the algorithm can vary the time at different high pressure points on the user's body. For example, the algorithm can keep high pressure points for longer at fleshy positions than on bony prominences and high pressure points determined from the pressure profile. The algorithm can transfer high pressure points to positions 901 and 902 for smaller durations than positions 903 and 903a-n.

In another example embodiment of the invention, FIG. 9B shows a pressure point at position 904 lower back area when the user is resting on the back position. The algorithm can identify position 904 as a high pressure point and determine alternate pressure positions 905 and 906 to reduce pressure from position 904 on a user's lower back. As shown in the FIG. 9B, positions 905 and 906 may correspond to the positions on user's back on the upper side. In one embodiment, the algorithm can identify that position 905 is a bony prominence and position 906 is more padded. The algorithm can alter pressure point from position 904 in a way that more pressure is transferred to position 906 than to position 905, in order to avoid pressure ulcer formation at the bony prominence position 905. In an additional embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9C, the algorithm can alter the pressure point from position 906 to one or more positions 906 a-n around the position 906. For example, pressure points at positions 906 a-n may form a regular (e.g. circular) or irregular shape. In another example embodiment, the algorithm may periodically transfer the high pressure point from position 906 to one or more positions 906a, 906b, or 906 c-n.

In a preferred embodiment, the algorithm may periodically transfer the high pressure points between positions 904, 905, 906, and 906a-n to avoid pressure ulcer formation at any point on the user's back and ensure healthy blood circulation. In another embodiment, the algorithm may transfer a high pressure point to one or more points surrounding the high pressure point. In some embodiments of the invention, the pressure point may be selected at any location between the pressure point at 906 and an exemplary dotted line shown in FIG. 9C. The dotted line may define an area around the pressure point at 906. In a further embodiment, the algorithm can vary the time at different high pressure points on the user's body. The pressure points may be altered between the original pressure points and any spots between the dotted lines. For example, the algorithm can keep high pressure points for longer at fleshy positions than on bony prominences and high pressure points determined from the pressure profile. The algorithm can transfer high pressure points to positions 904 and 905 for smaller durations than positions 906 and 906a-n.

The algorithm can identify the locations of pressure ulcers on a user's body based on the pressure profile created by the body support system. The overall objective of the invention is to reduce the pressure from the locations prone to bed sores and move the pressure to nearby areas. The algorithm can reduce the pressure from bony provenience areas and move pressure to the areas with more muscles for a certain period of time. The algorithm can further move the pressure to a new area after a certain amount of time. The algorithm may continue altering the pressure points. The time for which a location on the body is assigned as pressure point may be determined by the algorithm based on multiple factors, including but not limited to the muscle content at that location, previous bed sore, user's comfort level etc.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” “one example,” “an example” and the like, indicate that the described embodiment, implementation or example can include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment, implementation or example can not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, implementation or example. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementation or example, it is to be appreciated that such feature, structure or characteristic can be implemented in connection with other embodiments, implementations or examples whether or not explicitly described.

The detailed description provided above in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples can be constructed or utilized. It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that the described embodiments, implementations and/or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible.

The specific processes or methods described herein can represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. As such, various operations illustrated and/or described can be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described, in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. Likewise, the order of the above-described processes can be changed. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are presented as example forms of implementing the claims.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a body support device is provided that comprises a control device. The control device is configured to: determine size of one or more body parts of a user positioned on the body support device; determine rotation of one or more body parts of the user positioned on the body support device based on a profile of user's body parts; and determine a new profile for the body support device and dynamically adjust the shape of the body support device to straighten the user's body to be in a natural position.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body support device can be a mattress.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a smart mattress system is provided that comprises a mattress, a plurality of sensors integrated with the mattress, and a computer program. The computer program is configured to: receive data from the plurality of sensors; generate a pressure map based on the received data; determine rotation of different parts of the body based on the pressure map; and determine depth of the mattress at different locations on the mattress based on the rotation of the different body parts.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of creating a baseline for a user's body on a body support system is provided, which comprises: identifying that the user is resting on the body support system in a particular position, and generating a baseline position map for the user's body, wherein, the baseline position map is used in other rotations of user's body.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the position map can be a pressure map.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the position map can generate dimensions of the body at particular locations on the body support system.

In a still further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of creating a baseline for user's body on a body support system is provided that comprises: generating a baseline position map for the user's body when the user's body is in a particular position.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the baseline can be used in identifying the other rotations of the body.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of determining the sag on a body support system is provided, that comprises: identifying the size of hips of a user resting on a body support system; and determining the sag in the body support system as the user changes hip position on the body support system.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of determining the sag on a body support system is provided that comprises: identifying the size of shoulders of a user resting on a body support system; and determining the sag in the body support system as the user changes position of shoulders on the body support system.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a mattress system is provided that comprises: a mattress; and a controller. The controller determines positions of user's leg sections, both below and above the knee on the mattress and adjusts height and firmness of the mattress to provide a natural alignment to the user's legs.

In a still further aspect of the present disclosure, a mattress system is provided that comprises a mattress and a controller. The controller determines positions of user's leg sections, around the ankles on the mattress and adjusts height and firmness of the mattress to provide a natural alignment to the user's legs.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided that comprises: identifying profiles of one or more body parts of a user on a body support system; and determining the change in position of other body parts of the user on the body support system.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more body parts of the user can be leg, shoulders, hips, arms, etc.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of adjusting the height of a body support system is provided that comprises: determining, the extent to which a user's shoulders are pulled forward or pushed backward using body pattern analysis; and calculating the height adjustment parameter for the body support system to provide proper alignment to user's backbone.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of adjusting a body support device is provided that comprises: presetting the depth of the body support device at one or more locations of the one or more user's body parts on the body support device such that when the user's body is in a different position, the body support device can recognize the body part and change the depth of the body support device based on the user's preset for comfort.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a smart mattress system is provided that comprises: a mattress; a plurality of actuators integrated with the mattress, wherein actuators can be adjusted to keep the backbone of the user straight; and a controller configured to determine dimensions of one or more body parts of a user resting on the mattress, wherein, the controller determines the change in position of the one or more body parts of the user at different locations on the mattress and adjusts the actuators based on initial measurements of the one or more body parts and the determined change in position of the one or more body parts.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mattress system can determine width of the hips of the user on the mattress in at a first time instance, and can use the determined width at the first time instance and body roll to adjust the mattress depth at the hips location to straighten the backbone at a second time instance.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mattress system can determine width of the shoulders of the user on the mattress at a first time instance, and can use the determined width at the first time instance and body roll to adjust the mattress depth at the shoulders location to keep the backbone straight at a second time instance.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mattress can determine the depth of the mattress at one or more locations of the one or more body part on the mattress based on left or right sides of the side sleeping positions.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a smart mattress system is provided that comprises a mattress, a plurality of sensors integrated with the mattress; a plurality of actuators integrated with the mattress; and a computer program. The computer program is configured to: receive data from the plurality of sensors; generate a pressure map based on the received data; determine location, size and rotation of one or more body parts of a user positioned on the mattress; create one or more pressure profiles of the user based on one or more resting positions on the mattress; determine rotation the user's body from the mattress based on pressure map; and dynamically adjust the depth of the mattress by adjusting the plurality of actuators based on the one or more pressure profiles and the rotation of the user's body.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the depth of the mattress is dynamically adjusted straighten the spine.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more pressure profiles may comprise measurements of one or more body parts of the user comprising hips, shoulders, legs, arms, torso etc.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pattern recognition algorithm can be used to determine the width of body parts, including hips, shoulders, legs, arms, torso etc.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an artificial intelligence algorithm can be used to determine the width of body parts, including hips, shoulders, legs, arms, torso etc.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pattern recognition algorithm can be used to determine the location, measurement and/or rotation of one or more body parts, rotation direction and/or rotation angle of the user's body.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an Artificial Intelligence algorithm can be used to determine the location, measurement and/or rotation of one or more body parts, rotation direction and/or rotation angle of the user's body.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an Artificial Intelligence algorithm can be used to adjust the one or more actuators.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of actuators can differentially adjust the depth of the mattress in different areas or regions of the mattress.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation of one or more body parts is determined by pressure pattern of the user's body on the mattress.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a depression depth of the mattress at hip location is directly proportional to the rotation of the hip.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a depression depth of the mattress at shoulder location is directly proportional to the rotation of the shoulder.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for adjusting a smart mattress is provided that comprises: automatically adjusting depth parameters of the mattress at one or more locations on the mattress; modifying, by a user, the automatically adjusted depth parameters of the mattress at one or more locations using a user interface/input device; storing the modified depth parameters of the mattress at the one or more locations for the said user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the depth parameters of the mattress are adjusted at one or more locations to keep the user's spine straight when the user is positioned on the mattress.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the depth parameters of the mattress are adjusted at one or more locations corresponding to different body parts of the user, including one or more of head, shoulders, torso, hips and legs.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can be identified by using one or more stored pressure profiles.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the modified depth parameters can be automatically applied to the mattress when the user is positioned on the mattress.

In a still further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of personalizing a smart mattress is provide that comprises: providing preferred depth parameters of the mattress at locations of one or more body parts of a user using an input device; providing preferred depth parameters of the mattress at locations of one or more body parts of the user while user is resting on the mattress in left side resting position; providing preferred depth parameters of the mattress at locations of one or more body parts of the user while user is resting on the mattress in right side resting position; and creating a personalized depression profile of the mattress for the said user.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the depth parameters of the mattress correspond to different body parts of the user, including one or more of head, shoulders, torso, hips and legs.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a smart body support system for reducing pressure ulcers is provided that comprises a cushion to support the user's body parts; and a control system to: identify one or more pressure points based on pressure profile; and altering the positions of the pressure points in a cyclic pattern.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preventing pressure ulcers is provided that comprises: creating a pressure map of a user's body resting on a body support system; identifying one or more predefined locations of pressure points that need pressure to be reduced on the user's body based on the pressure map; and actively reducing pressure on the identified pressure points by controlling one or more actuators of the body support system.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure points are moved to alternate predefined locations on the user's body that are less prone to pressure ulcers.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure points are continuously altered in a cyclic manner between locations less prone to pressure ulcers to provide better blood circulation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pressure points are continuously altered between bony prominences and fleshy areas in a manner that pressure points exist at bony prominences for a lesser period of time than at the fleshy areas on the user's body.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a smart mattress system is provided that comprises a mattress, a computer program configured to adjust firmness of the mattress at multiple locations. When a user is positioned at a side resting position on the mattress, the system automatically adjusts the depression of the mattress at locations of certain body parts such that a proper skeletal alignment is provided to the user's body. And the user can input a maximum desired adjustment such that when the user changes resting position and the user's body rolls on the mattress, the system automatically adjusts the depression of the mattress based on the body roll and the maximum desired adjustment.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can input desired adjustments for left-side resting positions and right-side resting positions.

In a still further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preventing pressure ulcers is provided that comprises: creating a pressure map of a user's body resting on a body support system; identifying one or more bony prominences points on the user's body.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preventing pressure ulcers is provided that comprises: creating a pressure map of a user's body resting on a body support system; identifying one or more statistically significant points on the user's body prone to pressure ulcers.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body support system continuously checks if an iterative process of reducing pressure at one point is causing high pressure at a bony prominence point, wherein the iterative process continues until the pressure reduces at a statistically prone area while increasing the pressure at the fleshier areas.