Patent US5787528A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5787528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for providing bed recall functions
Assignee: L&P Property Management Co
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Filing: 1997-06-30
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2017-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus that allows a bed system to recall bed functions is accomplished by providing a bed controller with additional memory and processing steps. The additional memory is used to store current bed function data, desired bed function data, and recall bed function instructions. The additional processing, when executing the recall bed function instructions, compares the current bed function data with the desired bed function data. When the data does not match, the additional processing generates a function adjust signal which causes the bed to readjust itself to the desired function.
Inventors
- 👤 Santino Antinori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/002; A61G7/018; A47; A47C; A47C20/00; A47C20/04; A47C20/041; A47C31/00; A47C31/008; A61H; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/01; A61H2201/0119; A61H2201/0138; A61H2201/0142; A61H23/00; A61H23/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of: a) establishing a bed position reference by: i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower a foot and a head of the bed, respectively; ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor; and iii) when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing this position of the bed as the bed reference position; b) receiving a recall bed function message; c) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data, which, for head or foot repositioning, are both derived from the bed position reference; d) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; and e) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of: a) establishing a bed position reference by: i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower a foot and a head of the bed, respectively; ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor; and iii) when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing this position of the bed as the bed reference position; b) receiving a recall bed function message; c) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data, which, for head or foot repositioning, are both derived from the bed position reference; d) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; and e) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises receiving the recall bed function message from an radio frequency remote controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises receiving a recall bed positioning message as the recall bed function message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 3, wherein step (b) further comprises retrieving current head positioning data and current foot positioning data as the current bed function data and retrieving desired head positioning data and desired foot positioning data as the desired bed function data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 4, wherein step (e) further comprises generating a head motor adjust signal when the current head positioning data does not substantially match the desired head positioning data and generating a foot motor adjust signal when the current foot positioning data does not substantially match the desired foot positioning data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the current head positioning data and the current foot positioning data are generating by: setting the current foot positioning data and the current head positioning data based on the bed reference position; when a move head signal or a move foot signal is received, monitoring time of movement and direction of movement; and updating the current foot positioning data when the move foot signal was received and updating the current head positioning data when the move head signal is received, wherein the updating is based on the time of movement and the direction of movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the desired head positioning data and the desired foot positioning data are determined by: receiving a set recall message; storing the current head positioning data as the desired head positioning data; and storing the current foot positioning data as the desired foot positioning data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 further comprises the steps of: f) updating the current bed function data as the bed adjusts in response to the function adjust signal; and g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until the current bed function data substantially matches the desired bed function data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises receiving a recall massage message as the recall bed function message.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the apparatus comprising: signal receiver that operably receives a recall bed function message; processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the recall bed function message is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data, motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control a motor of the bed based on the function adjust signal, such that the motor is driven to achieve a desired bed function; and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the apparatus comprising: signal receiver that operably receives a recall bed function message; processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the recall bed function message is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data, motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control a motor of the bed based on the function adjust signal, such that the motor is driven to achieve a desired bed function; and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the motor drive circuit further comprises a head motor drive section and a foot motor drive section, such that, when the recall bed function message is for positioning the bed in a pre-stored position, the head motor drive section provides a head signal to a head motor of the bed and the foot motor drive section provides a foot signal to a foot motor of the bed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the motor drive circuit further comprises a foot massage motor drive section and a head massage motor drive section, such that, when the recall bed function is for a pre-stored massage function, the foot massage motor drive section provides a foot massage signal to a foot massage motor of the bed and the head massage motor drive section provides a head massage signal to a head massage motor of the bed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
226 words
A bed system comprising: a bed that includes at least one motor for providing a bed function; remote control that provides a control signal for invoking the bed function; bed controller operably coupled to the bed, the bed controller includes: signal receiver that operably receives the control signal; processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the control signal is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data; wherein the function adjust signal causes the at least one motor to adjust the bed such that the bed performs the bed function, motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor and to the at least one motor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control the at least one motor based on the function adjust signal; and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the at least one motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
226 words
A bed system comprising: a bed that includes at least one motor for providing a bed function; remote control that provides a control signal for invoking the bed function; bed controller operably coupled to the bed, the bed controller includes: signal receiver that operably receives the control signal; processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the control signal is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data; wherein the function adjust signal causes the at least one motor to adjust the bed such that the bed performs the bed function, motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor and to the at least one motor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control the at least one motor based on the function adjust signal; and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the at least one motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The bed system of claim 13, wherein the remote control further comprises recall setting means for establishing the bed function, wherein the processor determines the desired bed function data in response to activation of the recall setting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The bed system of claim 13, wherein the bed further comprises a foot motor and a head motor as the at least one motor, wherein the bed function indicates positioning the bed based on the desired bed function data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
The bed system of claim 15, wherein the remote control further comprises head adjust means for providing a head move signal and foot adjust means for providing a foot move signal, wherein, when the head move signal is received, the processor generates a head command which causes the head motor to adjust the bed and, when the foot move signal is received, the processor generates a foot command which causes the foot motor to adjust the bed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bed system of claim 13, wherein the bed further comprises a foot massage motor and a head massage motor as the at least one motor, wherein the bed function indicates a massage setting of the bed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
93 words
The bed system of claim 17, wherein the remote control further comprises head massage means for providing a head massage signal and foot massage means for providing a foot massage signal, wherein, when the head massage signal is received, the processor generates a head massage motor signal which causes the head massage motor to provide the bed function as a head massage and, when the foot massage signal is received, the processor generates a foot massage motor signal which causes the foot massage motor to provide the bed function as a foot massage.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a recall bed function message; b) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data; c) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; d) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, step a) further includes receiving a recall bed positioning message as the recall bed function message, step b) further includes retrieving current head positioning data and current foot positioning data as the current bed function data and retrieving desired head positioning data and desired foot positioning data as the desired bed function data, step d) further includes generating a head motor adjust signal when the current head positioning data does not substantially match the desired head positioning data and generating a foot motor adjust signal when the current foot positioning data does not substantially match the desired foot positioning data, and e) establishing a bed position reference by: i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower the foot and head of the bed, respectively, and ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor such that when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing disposition of the bed as the bed position reference.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a recall bed function message; b) retrieving desired bed function data and current bed function data; c) comparing the current bed function data with the desired bed function data; d) when the current bed function data does not substantially match the desired bed function data, generating a function adjust signal based on a difference between the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, step a) further includes receiving a recall bed positioning message as the recall bed function message, step b) further includes retrieving current head positioning data and current foot positioning data as the current bed function data and retrieving desired head positioning data and desired foot positioning data as the desired bed function data, step d) further includes generating a head motor adjust signal when the current head positioning data does not substantially match the desired head positioning data and generating a foot motor adjust signal when the current foot positioning data does not substantially match the desired foot positioning data, and e) establishing a bed position reference by: i) generating a move signal that causes a foot motor and a head motor to lower the foot and head of the bed, respectively, and ii) monitoring currents of the foot motor and the head motor such that when the currents of the foot motor and the head motor decreases, establishing disposition of the bed as the bed position reference.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the apparatus comprising: a signal receiver that operably receives a recall bed function message; a processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; a memory operable coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the recall bed function message is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data, a motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control a motor of the bed based on the function adjust signal, such that the motor is driven to achieve a desired bed function, and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for providing a recall bed function for a bed, the apparatus comprising: a signal receiver that operably receives a recall bed function message; a processor operably coupled to the signal receiver; a memory operable coupled to the processor, the memory stores desired bed function data, stores current bed function data, and stores program instructions that direct the processor, when the recall bed function message is received, to retrieve the desired bed function data and the current bed function data, and to generate a function adjust signal when the desired bed function data does not substantially match the current bed function data, a motor drive circuit operably coupled to the processor, wherein the motor drive circuit provides a signal to control a motor of the bed based on the function adjust signal, such that the motor is driven to achieve a desired bed function, and an AC crossing circuit that provides an AC zero crossing signal to the processor, such that the processor provides the function adjust signal to the motor drive circuit to enable and disable the motor with minimal noise and minimal in-rush current.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |