CA2056176C - Feedback system for load bearing surface - Google Patents

Feedback system for load bearing surface Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2056176C
CA2056176C CA002056176A CA2056176A CA2056176C CA 2056176 C CA2056176 C CA 2056176C CA 002056176 A CA002056176 A CA 002056176A CA 2056176 A CA2056176 A CA 2056176A CA 2056176 C CA2056176 C CA 2056176C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
bearing surface
load bearing
comfort
level
actual
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002056176A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2056176A1 (en
Inventor
Clifford M. Gross
Jose Banaag
Ravi Goonetilleke
Chandra Nair
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Biomechanics Corp of America
Original Assignee
Biomechanics Corp of America
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Biomechanics Corp of America filed Critical Biomechanics Corp of America
Publication of CA2056176A1 publication Critical patent/CA2056176A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2056176C publication Critical patent/CA2056176C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/12—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons
    • A47C31/126—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons for chairs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/082—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/081—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type
    • A47C27/083—Fluid mattresses or cushions of pneumatic type with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/08—Fluid mattresses or cushions
    • A47C27/10—Fluid mattresses or cushions with two or more independently-fillable chambers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
    • A47C27/18—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays in combination with inflatable bodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/12—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons
    • A47C31/123—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons for beds or mattresses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C4/00—Foldable, collapsible or dismountable chairs
    • A47C4/54—Inflatable chairs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
    • B60N2/914—Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L5/00—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
    • A61G2203/30—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means
    • A61G2203/34—General characteristics of devices characterised by sensor means for pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/05—Parts, details or accessories of beds
    • A61G7/057—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor
    • A61G7/05769—Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor with inflatable chambers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S5/00—Beds
    • Y10S5/935—Beds with adjustable firmness

Abstract

An electronic system for adjusting a load bearing surface such as a chair or bed to provide a desired level of comfort comprises an array of pressure sensors located within the load bearing surface. The pressure sensors generate data indicating the actual distribution of pressure exerted by a user on the load bearing surface. An electronic processor processes the data generated by the array of pressure senors. The processor compares the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface with a desired range for each region. If the fraction of total load for any region is not within the desired range, a servo-mechanism is activated to change the shape of the load bearing surface so that the fraction of total load on each region is within the desired range, so as to provide a desired level of comfort to the user.

Description

FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR LOAD BEARING SURFACE
Related Application A patent application entitled "Method and Apparatus for Evaluating a Load Bearing Surface" filed for Clifford M. Gross on April 18, 1990, bearing Serial No. 07/510,653, now U.S. Patent No.
5,060,274, and assigned to the assignee hereof contains subject matter related to the subject matter of the present application.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a feedback system for controlling in real time the shape of a load bearing surface such as a seat or bed to provide a desired level of comfort for a user.
Background of the Invention The above-identified patent application describes a system for measuring the pressure distribution on a load bearing surface such as a seat or bed. The system of the above-identified patent application comprises a two-dimensional array of pressure sensors located within the load bearing surface and a processor for processing the data generated by the pressure sensors. Using the data generated by the pressure sensors it is possible for the processor to evaluate certain attributes of the pressure distribution on the load bearing surface. For example, it is possible to divide the load bearing surface into regions and to determine the fraction of the total load on each region, the mean and median pressure of the various regions, and the pressure gradients between regions.
By testing many different seats with many different human users, it is possible to statistically correlate subjective comfort sensations of the user with certain attributes of the objectively measured pressure distributions exerted on the seats by the users. For example, a seat pan may be divided into eight regions: left thigh, right thigh, left buttock, right buttock, two left bolsters and two right bolsters. Similarly, a seat back may be divided into eight regions: left bolster, right bolster, three lumbar regions and three thoracic regions. It is possible to statistically correlate the fraction of the total load on the seat which is exerted on each of these regions with a user's comfort.
In this manner, it is possible to determine for each seat region a desired range for the fraction of the total load which is exerted on a region. A seat may then be objectively classified as comfortable for a user if the actual distribution of the load exerted by the user on the seat is such that the load fraction in each region falls into the corresponding desired range.
Other attributes of the pressure distribution besides fraction of total load exerted on a region may also be statistically correlated with comfort. For example, small pressure gradients correlate with high comfort levels and large 20~6~.r~u pressure gradients correlate with low comfort levels. One reason for this is that small gradient values indicate that the load is more evenly distributed over a greater surface area of a seat.
It is an object of the present invention to utilize the above-described correlation between certain pressure distribution attributes and comfort to provide an electronic feedback system for automatically reconfiguring a load bearing surface such as a seat or bed to provide a user with a certain desired level of comfort.
Summar~r of the Invention The present invention is directed to an electronic feedback system for adjusting a load bearing surface such as a seat or bad to provide a desired level of comfort for a user. In an illustrative embodiment, a two-dimensional array of pressure sensors generates data indicating the actual distribution of pressure exerted by the user on the load bearing surface. The data generated by the array of pressure sensors is processed by an electronic processor.
In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the electronic processor determines, from the data generated by the pressure sensor array, the fraction of the total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface. The processor also compares the fraction of total load on each region of the Load bearing surface with a predetermined range. In the case of a load bearing device such as a seat, it is known that ~0~617~
the seat is comfortable when the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions is within a certain range'.
taken the fraction of total load exerted on one or more of the regions of the load bearing surface is not within the corresponding desired range, the electronic processor activates a servo-mechanism which alters the shape of the load bearing surface to redistribute the pressure in such a way so as to bring the fraction of total load on each region into the desired range.
This feedback system operates continuously and in real time.
However, to avoid having the load bearing surface reconfigure itself for each small movement of the user, time averages of the load fraction exerted on each region of the load bearing surface are illustratively calculated and utilized by the processor to control the servo-mechanism. In this way the feedback system responds to larger longer term movements of the user rather than responding to every single small movement of the user.
Tn an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of comparing the actual load fraction exerted on each region with a range of desired values, other attributes of the actual pressure distribution on a load bearing surface may be utilized to determine if a seat or other load bearing surface is comfortable to a user. These other attributes include pressure gradients, mean pressures, median pressures, and the standard deviation of pressures in particular regions of a load bearing surface.
To change the shape of the load bearing surface, a plurality of air bladders may be located within the surface. Tn this case, the processor controls the amount of air in the individual bladders to regulate the shape of the load bearing surface.
Alternatively, a plurality of plates may be located within the surface and the positions of the plates are changed under the control of the processor to change the shape of the load bearing surface.
In short, the present invention provides a highly ergonomic interface betcveen a user and a load bearing surface such as a vehicle seat, office seat or bed.
Brief Description of the Drawing FIG 1 schematically illustrates a feedback system for reconfiguring a load bearing surface in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG 2 and FIG 3 schematically illustrate a load bearing surface in the form of a seat which can be reconfigured in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
FTG 4 is a flow chart which schematically illustrates an algorithm carried out by a processor in the system of FIG 1.
FIG 5 illustrates an alternative mechanism for reconfiguring a load bearing surface.
Detailed Description of the Invention FIG 1 schematically illustrates a load bearing device 10.
Although the load bearing device 10 is shown in FIG 1 as being in the form of a rectangular solid, this geometry is intended to be illustrative only and the load bearing device 10 is intended to represent a seat, such as a vehicle or office seat, or a bed, for example. The load bearing device 10 includes a load bearing upper surface 12 which supports a load in the form of all or part of a human being.
Located within and just beneath the surface 12 is a two-dimensional array of pressure sensors 14. Illustratively, each of the pressure sensors 14 is a Force Sensing Resistor available from Interlink Electronics, Santa Barbara, California. These devices are polymer thick film devices which exhibit a decreasing resistance when an increasing force is applied in a direction normal to the device surface. The sensors are arranged in strips 16 and connected so as to form a voltage divider network.
The load bearing surface 12 is divided into a plurality of regions 1, 2, 3,4. Associated with each region 1, 2, 3, and 4 is a subset of the pressure,sensoxs 14. In some embodiments of the invention, the different regions may overlap so that some of the sensors belong to more than one region.
Located within the load bearing device 10 are a plurality of air bladders 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are one or more air bladders associated with each of the regions 1, 2, 3, 4 of the load bearing surface. Each of the air bladders 20 is connected to a source 22 of a pressure medium such as air by way of a conduit 24. A valve 26 is located in each conduit 24 to control the flow of air into and out of the associated bladder 20. Each valve 26 is controlled by a serva-mechanism illustratively in the form of a motor 28. By controlling the amount of air in each of the bladders 20, it is possible to control the shape of the load bearing surface 12 of the load bearing device 10.
The present invention includes a feedback system 30 for changing the shape of the load bearing surface 12 to provide a desired level of comfort for a human being supported by the load bearing surface. In FIG 1, the feedback system 30 includes the multiplexer 32, the interface 34, the analog-to-digital converter 36, and the processor 40. The multiplexer 32 connects a signal from any one of the pressure sensors 14 to the interface 34. The sequence in which the pressure sensors are to be interrogated are transmitted from the processor 40 to the interface 34. Analog signals from the multiplexer are transmitted through the interface unit to the analog-to-digital converter 36 wherein the signals from the pressure sensors are converted to digital form and transmitted to the processor 40 which stores these signal values in memory.
Thus, when there is a load in the form of a human being on the load bearing surface 12, the processor 40 receives from the array of pressure sensors 14 data representative of the actual distribu~~on of pressure on the Load bearing surface. This data is processed by the processor 40 ar_d, in response to this data, the processor 40 outputs signals on the lines 42 to control the moors 28. In this manner, the processor 40 controls the shape of the load bearing surface 12. In particular, the processor 40 2~~6~~U
controls the shape of the load bearing surface 12 to achieve a desired level of comfort for the user. The algorithm utilized by the processor to change the shape of the load bearing surface is described in detail below.
FIG 2 shows a partly perspective and partly cross~sectional view of a seat such as an automobile seat whose shape may be reconfigured in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The chair 50 is supported by a base 52. The chair 50 is divided into a plurality of sections including the headrest 54, the thoracic section 56, the lumbar section 58, the buttocks section 60 and the thigh section 62. Each section such as the buttocks section 60 includes a frame 64 for supporting the section. Each section such as the buttocks section 60 comprises a fabric outer surface 66 which is filled with the foam 68. The various sections 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 are movable with respect to each other through use of the actuators 70, 72, and 74.
To implement the present invention, an array of pressure sensors 14 is embedded under the fabric surface for the thoracic, lumbar, buttocks, and thigh sections. In addition, the thoracic, lumbar, buttocks and thigh sections of the chair 50 include the bladders 20 which are illustratively located between the frame 64 and foam 68. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG 3, no bladders or pressure sensors are included in the headrest 54, although in other embodiments such bladders and pressure sensors may be incorporated.
8 .

By using the feedback system described above in connection with FIG 1, air can be added or removed from the bladders 20 to change the shape of the load bearing surface formed by the seat 50. FIG 3 shows how air has been added to some of the bladders 20 in the thoracic, lumbar and thigh regions to change the shape of these regions.
An illustrative algorithm utilized by the processor 40 of FIG 1 to control the shape of a load bearing surface is illustrated by the flow chart of FIG 4. Thus, as shown in FIG 4, ZO the first step of the load bearing surface shape-changing process is to interrogate the pressure sensors 14 (box 70~of FIG 4) to obtain data representative of the actual distribution of pressure exerted by a user on a load bearing surface. Since the shape reconfiguration mechanism operates continuously, this data is time averaged (box 72~of FIG 4) to avoid changing the shape of the load bearing surface for each small movement by the user.
Rather, the shape of the load bearing surface is preferably changed only in response to larger, longer term movement of the user.
The processor 40 determines the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface (box 74~of FIG 4). The processor then determines if the fraction of total load exerted on each region is within a desired range (box 76 of FIG 4). If the fraction of the total load in each region is within the desired range no action is taken. If the fraction of total load in each region is not within the ~f~~6~.'~
desired range, a linear programming algorithm (box 78 of FIG 4) is executed to determine how to change the shape of the load bearing surface so that the fraction of total load exerted on each region is within the desired range. Once this is done the servo-mechanism such as the motors 28 of FIG 1 are activated to change the shape of the load bearing surface. Since a feedback system is utilized, after the change in shape of the load bearing surface, the pressure sensors are again interrogated to determine if the fraction of total load in each region is in the desired range and if further changes in shape are necessary for the load bearing surface.
It should be noted that the desired range of load fraction for each region is determined experimentally by using conventional statistical techniques to statistically correlate the comfort of a statistically valid sample of users with the fraction of total load exerted on each region by these users.
The linear programming algorithm utilized by the processor 40 of FIG 1 to determine how to change the shape of a load bearing surface in the case of a seat is as follows.
2o An objective function:
N
~(Wi) (Xi'"Ai) (Bi'°Xi) i=1 is maximized subject to the following constraints N
~xi = loo i=1 Xi > Ai > O
Xi < Bi > O
~Da6~plU
where:
Xi = the fraction of total load exerted on seat region i, far i = 1 to N
Ai = lower limit of region i load fraction range of a "very comfortable" seat Bi = upper limit of region i load fraction range of a "very comfortable" seat Wi = priority (i.e. weighting) factor for region i Illustratively, there are N=16 regions in the seat. In the seat back there are three thoracic regions, three lumbar regions and left and right bolster regions. Tn the seat pan there are left and right buttocks regions, left and right thigh regions, and four bolster regions.
Instead of using the foregoing algorithm, the processor 40 may evaluate a more complex algorithm. For example, an actual comfort level of a user may be set equal to a linear combination of a variety of attributes of the actual pressure distribution such as the standard deviation of the pressure distribution in particular regions, pressure gradients within or between particular regions, mean gradients in particular regions, maximum gradients in particular regions, median pressure in particular regions, fractions of total load in particular regions and sums of load fractions over several regions. When a linear combination of such attributes of the actual pressure distribution is obtained so as to obtain an actual comfort level of a user, the processor compares the actual comfort level to a desired comfort level range. If the actual comfort level is ~~~61~a outside the desired range, the shape of the load bearing surface is altered until the actual comfort level is within the desired range.
As has been indicated above, the shape of a load bearing surface can be changed by varying the quantity of air each of a plurality of air bladders within the surface. However, the shape change may be accomplished in other ways such as hydraulically or through the use of plates contained within the load bearing surface. FIG 5 shows a cross-section of a load bearing device 100 which has a load bearing surface 110. A plurality of plates 12o in the load bearing device are mounted on motor driven 'shafts (not shown and repositioned under the control of a processor to change the shape of the load bearing surface.
Finally, the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only. Numerous alternative embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (31)

1. An electronic feedback system for adjusting a load bearing surface comprising:
a sensor apparatus for generating data indicating a two-dimensional distribution of load exerted by an individual user on the load bearing surface, an electronic processor for receiving said two-dimensional distribution data from said sensor apparatus for determining automatically an actual comfort level of the individual user from said two-dimensional distribution data, and for electronically determining if the actual comfort level of the individual user is within a range of comfort levels predetermined to be desirable through a correlation of subjective comfort sensations with pressure distribution attributes of a statistically valid sample of users, and a reconfiguration system activated automatically by the electronic processor when the processor determines that said actual comfort level is not within said predetermined range for reconfiguring in real time the load bearing surface until the processor electronically determines that the actual comfort level of the individual user is within the predetermined range, said actual comfort level of the individual user being a time average for preventing the load bearing surface from being reconfigured for every small change in position of the individual user.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the load bearing surface is a surface of a seat.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said seat is a vehicle seat.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said load bearing surface is a surface of a bed.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor apparatus comprises pressure sensing means for measuring the actual distribution of pressure exerted by the user on the load bearing surface.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said pressure sensing means comprises an array of pressure sensors.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said reconfiguration system includes one or more air bladders contained within the load bearing surface and said load bearing surface is reconfigured by controlling the amount of air within said one or more bladders.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said reconfiguration system includes a plurality of plates contained within said load bearing surface, said load bearing surface being reconfigured by adjusting the position of said plates.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor determines if the actual comfort level of a user is within said predetermined range by determining if a fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface is within a fractional load range predetermined for each region.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said reconfiguration system reconfigures said load bearing surface to change the distribution of load so that the fraction of total load exerted on each region is within the corresponding predetermined fractional load range for each region.
11. A load bearing device comprising:
a load bearing surface, sensor means within said load bearing surface for detecting a two-dimensional distribution of pressure exerted on said surface by an individual user of said surface, means coupled to said load bearing surface for changing a shape of said load bearing surface, and an electronic processing system for receiving the two-dimensional pressure distribution data generated by said sensor means, for automatically determining a time averaged actual comfort level from the two-dimensional pressure distribution data, and for determining if said actual comfort level of individual user is within a range of comfort level predetermined to be desirable through a correlation of subjective comfort sensations with pressure distribution attributes of a statistically valid sample of users, and if the actual comfort level is not within the range, for automatically and in real time, controlling said shape changing means to change the shape of the load bearing surface to bring the actual level of comfort into said range.
12. The load bearing device of claim 11 wherein said processing system determines if said actual level of comfort is within said predetermined range by comparing the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of said load bearing surface with a predetermined load fraction for each region.
13. A method for electronically adjusting a load bearing surface to maintain the comfort of an individual user over time as the individual user changes position, said method comprising the steps of:
sensing a current two-dimensional distribution of the load exerted on the load bearing surface by a particular individual user, receiving at an electronic processor data indicative of the two-dimensional distribution of the load exerted on the load bearing surface, and determining electronically through use of said electronic processor a time-averaged actual level of comfort of the particular user based on the two-dimensional distribution of load exerted on the load bearing surface and determining if the time averaged actual level of comfort is a level of comfort predetermined to be desirable through a correlation of subjective comfort sensations and pressure distribution attributes of a statistically valid sample of users, whenever the position of the particular user is such that the processor determines that the time averaged actual level of comfort of the particular user is not a predetermined desired level of comfort, automatically reconfiguring said load bearing surface under the control of said electronic processor so as to change the actual level of comfort so that it is a predetermined desired level of comfort , the load bearing surface thereby being automatically reconfigured over time in response to changes in position of the particular user of the load bearing surface to maintain the time averaged actual level of comfort of the particular user at a desired comfort level.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of determining a current actual level of comfort comprises determining the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of said load bearing surface and said step of determining if the current actual level of comfort is a desired predetermined level of comfort comprises determining if the fraction of total load exerted on each region is a desired fraction of total load predetermined for each region.
15. In combination, a load bearing surface for supporting an individual user, and an electronic feedback system for automatically reconfiguring the load bearing surface over time as the individual user changes position to maintain the comfort of the individual user, said electronic feedback system comprising a sensor apparatus for generating data indicative of a two-dimensional distribution of load exerted on the load bearing surface by an individual user, an electronic processor for receiving said data generated by said sensor apparatus, and for automatically electronically determining in response to said two-dimensional distribution data an actual comfort level of the user and, on a time average basis, whether said actual level of comfort is a level of comfort predetermined to be desirable by a correlation of subjective comfort sensations and pressure distribution attributes of a statistically valid sample of users, and apparatus automatically activated by said processor when said processor determines said individual user does not have a desirable level of comfort for reconfiguring said load bearing surface to provide said individual user with a desirable level of comfort.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said load bearing surface is the surface of a seat.
17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said sensor apparatus comprises a two-dimensional array of pressure sensors.
18. The combination of claim 15 wherein said processor determines if the user has an acceptable level of comfort by determining if the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of the load bearing surface is within a predetermined range.
19. In combination, a load bearing surface for supporting an individual user, and an electronic feedback system for automatically reconfiguring the load bearing surface on a time averaged basis to maintain the comfort of the individual user, said electronic feedback system comprising a sensor apparatus for generating data indicative of a two-dimensional distribution of load exerted on the load bearing surface by the individual user, a processor for receiving said data generated by said sensor apparatus, for automatically electronically determining in response to said data whether an actual comfort level of the individual user is a comfort level predetermined to be acceptable by a statistical correlation of subjective comfort sensations and pressure distribution attributes of a group of users, and for optimizing an objective function of pressure distribution attributes to determine a reconfiguration of the load bearing surface when the actual comfort level of the user is not acceptable, and apparatus automatically activated by said processor for reconfiguring said load bearing surface to provide said individual user with an acceptable level of comfort, said load bearing surface being reconfigured on a time averaged basis for preventing the load bearing surface from being reconfigured for every small change in position of the individual user.
20. An electronic system for adjusting a load bearing surface to provide a desired level of comfort for an individual user comprising:

pressure sensing means for generating data indicating the actual distribution of pressure exerted by said individual user on said surface, electronic processing means for processing said data generated by said pressure sensing means for determining from said data a time average actual comfort level of said individual user, and for determining if said actual comfort level is a desired comfort level, servo-means responsive to said processing means for reconfiguring said load bearing surface until said actual level of comfort is a desired level of comfort for the individual user, said actual comfort level of the individual user being a time average for preventing the load bearing surface from being reconfigured for every small change in position of the individual user.
21. An electronic system for adjusting a load bearing surface to provide a desired level of comfort for a user comprising:
pressure sensing means for generating data indicating the actual distribution of pressure exerted by said user on said surface, electronic processing means for processing said data generated by said pressure sensing means, and servo-means responsive to said processing means for reconfiguring said load bearing surface so as to change the distribution of pressure exerted by the user on said load bearing surface to achieve a desired level of comfort for the user, characterized in that - said pressure sensing means generates data indicating a two-dimensional distribution of load exerted by an individual user on the lead bearing surface, - said electronic processing means determines an actual comfort level of the individual user from said two-dimensional distribution data and determines if the actual comfort level of the individual user is within a range of comfort levels predetermined to be desirable through a correlation of subjective comfort sensations with pressure distribution attributes of a statically valid sample of users, and - said servo-means is activated by said electronic processing means when said electronic processing means determines that said actual comfort level is not within said pretermined range for reconfiguring in real time the load bearing surface until said electronic processing means determines that the actual comfort level of the individual user is within the predetermined range, - said actual comfort level of the individual user being a time average for preventing the load bearing surface from being reconfigured for every small change in position of the individual user.
22. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that said load bearing surface forms part of a seat.
23. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that said seat is a vehicle seat.
24. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that said seat is an office seat.
25. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that said load bearing surface forms part of a bed.
26. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that one or more air bladders are contained within said load bearing surface and said servo-means reconfigures said load bearing surface by controlling the amount of air within said one or more bladders.
27. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that a plurality of plates is contained within said load bearing surface and said servo-means comprises means for adjusting the position of said plates.
28. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that said pressure sensing means comprises a two-dimensional array of individual pressure sensors.
29. The system according to claim 28, characterized in that said electronic processing means determines the fraction of total load exerted on each of a plurality of regions of said load bearing surface and compares the fraction of total load for each region with a predetermined load range for each region.
30. The system according to claim 29, characterized in that said servo-means reconfigures said load bearing surface to change the distribution of load in said regions so that the fraction of total load exerted on each region is within the corresponding predetermined range for each region.
31. A method for adjusting a load bearing surface to provide a desired level of comfort for an individual user comprising the steps of:
sensing the actual distribution of pressure exerted by said individual user on said load bearing surface and generating data, processing said data, and reconfiguring the shape of said load bearing surface, thereby achieving a desired level of comfort for the individual user, characterized in that said method further includes the steps of:
- sensing a current two-dimensional distribution of the load exerted on the load bearing surface by a particular user, - receiving data indicative of the two-dimensional distribution of the load exerted on the load bearing surface, and - determining electronically a time-averaged actual level of comfort of the particular user based on the two-dimensional distribution of the load exerted on the load bearing surface and determining if the time-averaged actual level of comfort is a level of comfort predetermined to be desirable through a correlation of subjective comfort sensations with pressure distribution attributes of a statistically valid sample of users, - whenever a position of a particular user is such that it is determined that the time-averaged actual level of comfort of the particular user is not a predetermined desired level of comfort, reconfiguring said load bearing surface so as to change the actual level of comfort so that it is a predetermined desired level of comfort.
- the load bearing surface thereby being reconfigured over time in response to changes in position of the particular user of the load bearing surface to maintain the time-averaged actual level of comfort of the particular user at a desired comfort level.
CA002056176A 1990-12-06 1991-11-26 Feedback system for load bearing surface Expired - Fee Related CA2056176C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/623,220 US5170364A (en) 1990-12-06 1990-12-06 Feedback system for load bearing surface
US623,220 1990-12-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2056176A1 CA2056176A1 (en) 1992-06-07
CA2056176C true CA2056176C (en) 2005-02-22

Family

ID=24497226

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002056176A Expired - Fee Related CA2056176C (en) 1990-12-06 1991-11-26 Feedback system for load bearing surface

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (2) US5170364A (en)
EP (1) EP0489310B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05337021A (en)
CA (1) CA2056176C (en)
DE (1) DE69124490T2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016075599A1 (en) * 2014-11-10 2016-05-19 Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (Epfl) System for adjusting pressure locally acting on the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Families Citing this family (235)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5606754A (en) 1989-03-09 1997-03-04 Ssi Medical Services, Inc. Vibratory patient support system
US5170364A (en) * 1990-12-06 1992-12-08 Biomechanics Corporation Of America Feedback system for load bearing surface
US5253656A (en) * 1991-05-23 1993-10-19 Rincoe Richard G Apparatus and method for monitoring contact pressure between body parts and contact surfaces
GB9223296D0 (en) * 1992-11-06 1992-12-23 Univ Loughborough Ergonomic chair
US6230501B1 (en) 1994-04-14 2001-05-15 Promxd Technology, Inc. Ergonomic systems and methods providing intelligent adaptive surfaces and temperature control
US6098000A (en) 1994-06-24 2000-08-01 Mccord Winn Textron Inc. Interactive, individually controlled, multiple bladder seating comfort adjustment system and method
US5556169A (en) * 1994-07-15 1996-09-17 Parrish; Milton E. Multi-layer conformable support system
US5586067A (en) * 1994-07-19 1996-12-17 Bcam International, Inc. Support enhancing device and associated method
US5587933A (en) * 1994-07-19 1996-12-24 Bcam International, Inc. Support enhancing device and associated method
US5666681A (en) * 1995-01-03 1997-09-16 Hill-Rom, Inc. Heel pressure management apparatus and method
US5687099A (en) * 1995-02-06 1997-11-11 Gross; Clifford M. Body support with adaptive pressurization
US5755647A (en) * 1995-05-16 1998-05-26 Lawrence I. Wechsler Exercise appliance for abdominal muscles and method of using same
US6584628B1 (en) 1995-08-04 2003-07-01 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Hospital bed having a rotational therapy device
US6119291A (en) * 1995-08-04 2000-09-19 Hill-Rom, Inc. Percussion and vibration therapy apparatus
US6047424A (en) * 1995-08-04 2000-04-11 Hill-Rom, Inc. Bed having modular therapy devices
US5630238A (en) * 1995-08-04 1997-05-20 Hill-Rom, Inc. Bed with a plurality of air therapy devices, having control modules and an electrical communication network
US5662384A (en) * 1995-11-14 1997-09-02 Peter W. Linley Dynamic seating support system
DE19545168A1 (en) * 1995-12-04 1997-06-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Seat with variable pressure hollow chambers that have an elastic support wall
US5658050A (en) * 1996-01-11 1997-08-19 Milsco Manufacturing Company Vehicle seat with inflatable bladder
DE19601974C2 (en) * 1996-01-20 1998-07-02 Daimler Benz Ag Method for determining the pressure comfort of a seat and / or backrest cushion
US5625914A (en) * 1996-02-01 1997-05-06 Schwab; Patrick R. Automatic mattress surface contour and support changing apparatus with wave sensors
GB9610900D0 (en) * 1996-05-24 1996-07-31 Ljubomir Gnjatovic A bed
DE19644376A1 (en) 1996-10-25 1998-04-30 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Adjustment device for a vehicle seat
EP0932519B1 (en) * 1996-10-25 2001-01-17 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Patentabteilung AJ-3 Process for adjusting a vehicle seat
US6067019A (en) * 1996-11-25 2000-05-23 Hill-Rom, Inc. Bed exit detection apparatus
FR2757377B1 (en) * 1996-12-23 1999-03-12 Support Systems International METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A SUPPORTING ELEMENT, IN PARTICULAR THE BODY OF A PATIENT ALLOWING SUPPORT FOR A PREDETERMINED FLOAT LINE
US6055473A (en) * 1997-02-19 2000-04-25 General Motors Corporation Adaptive seating system
JP2000236979A (en) * 1999-02-19 2000-09-05 Riyuuzou Waguri Oscillatory chair device
US5894966A (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-04-20 Hill-Rom, Inc. Bariatric bed
US6694557B1 (en) 1997-06-26 2004-02-24 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bariatric bed
US6036924A (en) 1997-12-04 2000-03-14 Hewlett-Packard Company Cassette of lancet cartridges for sampling blood
US6391005B1 (en) 1998-03-30 2002-05-21 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Apparatus and method for penetration with shaft having a sensor for sensing penetration depth
DE19826485A1 (en) * 1998-06-13 2000-01-20 Volkswagen Ag Method and device for detecting pressure or force effects on a surface layer of an object
US6422087B1 (en) 1998-07-15 2002-07-23 Rostra Precision Controls, Inc. Electronic control system for a variable support mechanism
EP0972472B1 (en) * 1998-07-16 2001-03-14 Bartholomäus Niedermühlbichler Method for adjusting a sitting or lying element
US6088642A (en) * 1998-07-29 2000-07-11 Mccord Winn Textron Inc. Interactive, individually controlled, multiple bladder seating comfort adjustment system and method
EP1123074A4 (en) * 1998-10-28 2004-12-29 Hill Rom Co Inc Force optimization surface apparatus and method
US6721980B1 (en) * 1998-10-28 2004-04-20 Hill-Fom Services, Inc. Force optimization surface apparatus and method
DE19851698A1 (en) * 1998-11-10 2000-05-11 Bosch Gmbh Robert Device and method for adjusting a vehicle seat
DE19853156B4 (en) * 1998-11-18 2006-04-13 Girsberger Holding Ag Seat
GB9825514D0 (en) * 1998-11-21 1999-01-13 Linear Motion Technology Llc Improvement in pressure pad devices
US7834768B2 (en) 1999-03-05 2010-11-16 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Obstruction detection apparatus for a bed
US6133837A (en) * 1999-03-05 2000-10-17 Hill-Rom, Inc. Patient position system and method for a support surface
CN1302196A (en) 1999-05-11 2001-07-04 鲍尔斯应用流体力学公司 Jet pulse generator and massage and method
GB9911227D0 (en) * 1999-05-15 1999-07-14 Johnson Controls Automotive Uk Memory device for reclining vehicle seat
US6237994B1 (en) * 1999-06-11 2001-05-29 Weber Aircraft, Inc. Multi-function seats
CH693299A5 (en) * 1999-07-15 2003-05-30 Doc Ag Cushion, in particular mattress.
JP4450129B2 (en) * 2000-07-05 2010-04-14 株式会社デンソー Crew identification system for automobiles
DK1339369T3 (en) 2000-11-07 2010-03-29 Tempur World Llc Therapeutic mattress assembly
US8641644B2 (en) 2000-11-21 2014-02-04 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Blood testing apparatus having a rotatable cartridge with multiple lancing elements and testing means
GB2370222A (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-06-26 Autoliv Dev Vehicle seat accessory providing lumbar / pelvic / shoulder support induced by weight of sitting person
GB2370359A (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-06-26 Bridgestone Corp Method of evaluating seat comfort
US6557937B1 (en) 2001-04-09 2003-05-06 The Research Foundation Of State University Of New York Pressure-relieving wheelchair seating apparatus
US6761398B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2004-07-13 Weber Aircraft Lp Stowable tables
US8337419B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2012-12-25 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Tissue penetration device
US7025774B2 (en) 2001-06-12 2006-04-11 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Tissue penetration device
US9795747B2 (en) 2010-06-02 2017-10-24 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation
US7981056B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2011-07-19 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation
US7682318B2 (en) 2001-06-12 2010-03-23 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Blood sampling apparatus and method
US9427532B2 (en) 2001-06-12 2016-08-30 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Tissue penetration device
DE60234598D1 (en) 2001-06-12 2010-01-14 Pelikan Technologies Inc SELF-OPTIMIZING LANZET DEVICE WITH ADAPTANT FOR TEMPORAL FLUCTUATIONS OF SKIN PROPERTIES
US9226699B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2016-01-05 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Body fluid sampling module with a continuous compression tissue interface surface
US7749174B2 (en) 2001-06-12 2010-07-06 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for lancet launching device intergrated onto a blood-sampling cartridge
ATE485766T1 (en) 2001-06-12 2010-11-15 Pelikan Technologies Inc ELECTRICAL ACTUATING ELEMENT FOR A LANCET
EP1404234B1 (en) 2001-06-12 2011-02-09 Pelikan Technologies Inc. Apparatus for improving success rate of blood yield from a fingerstick
DE20112013U1 (en) * 2001-07-25 2002-12-19 Oehler Claus Adjustment device for two-wheel saddles
DE10202579C1 (en) * 2002-01-24 2003-05-28 Daimler Chrysler Ag Internal pressure control method e.g. for pneumatically adjustable automobile passenger seat, has pressure increase effected in successive steps
JP2003265544A (en) * 2002-03-18 2003-09-24 Paramount Bed Co Ltd Method for controlling body oppression and displacement when adjusting bottom undulation in beds
US6870341B2 (en) 2002-04-15 2005-03-22 Paramount Bed Co., Ltd. Method of controlling the coordinative lifting of bottom sections of lying furniture such as a bed
US7976476B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2011-07-12 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Device and method for variable speed lancet
US8579831B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2013-11-12 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US8702624B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2014-04-22 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Analyte measurement device with a single shot actuator
US9314194B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2016-04-19 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Tissue penetration device
US7892185B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2011-02-22 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for body fluid sampling and analyte sensing
US7648468B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2010-01-19 Pelikon Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7232451B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2007-06-19 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7175642B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2007-02-13 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation
US7547287B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2009-06-16 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US9795334B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2017-10-24 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US8784335B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2014-07-22 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Body fluid sampling device with a capacitive sensor
US7297122B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2007-11-20 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7331931B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2008-02-19 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7291117B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2007-11-06 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7892183B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2011-02-22 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for body fluid sampling and analyte sensing
US9248267B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2016-02-02 Sanofi-Aventis Deustchland Gmbh Tissue penetration device
US8267870B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2012-09-18 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for body fluid sampling with hybrid actuation
US7371247B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2008-05-13 Pelikan Technologies, Inc Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7674232B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2010-03-09 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7229458B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2007-06-12 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7901362B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2011-03-08 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7909778B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2011-03-22 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7717863B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2010-05-18 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7491178B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2009-02-17 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US7226461B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2007-06-05 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for a multi-use body fluid sampling device with sterility barrier release
US8360992B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2013-01-29 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
US8221334B2 (en) 2002-04-19 2012-07-17 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
EP1374739A3 (en) * 2002-06-18 2004-04-14 Hygrama Ag Seat with adjustable profile and module support
US8574895B2 (en) 2002-12-30 2013-11-05 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus using optical techniques to measure analyte levels
DE602004008045T2 (en) * 2003-03-12 2008-04-30 Jetta Company Ltd. ADJUSTABLE MATTRESS AND CUSHION SYSTEM
EP1628567B1 (en) 2003-05-30 2010-08-04 Pelikan Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for fluid injection
DK1633235T3 (en) 2003-06-06 2014-08-18 Sanofi Aventis Deutschland Apparatus for sampling body fluid and detecting analyte
WO2006001797A1 (en) 2004-06-14 2006-01-05 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Low pain penetrating
US7587072B2 (en) * 2003-08-22 2009-09-08 Authentec, Inc. System for and method of generating rotational inputs
US8282576B2 (en) 2003-09-29 2012-10-09 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for an improved sample capture device
EP1680014A4 (en) 2003-10-14 2009-01-21 Pelikan Technologies Inc Method and apparatus for a variable user interface
EP1526031B1 (en) * 2003-10-21 2009-11-25 TS Tech Co., Ltd Vehicle seat with system for facilitating relieving of fatigue of person sitting on the seat
CA2449382A1 (en) * 2003-11-27 2005-05-27 Garry Robinson Vehicle seat with dual independently adjustable supports
EP1706026B1 (en) 2003-12-31 2017-03-01 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH Method and apparatus for improving fluidic flow and sample capture
US7822454B1 (en) 2005-01-03 2010-10-26 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Fluid sampling device with improved analyte detecting member configuration
US7697729B2 (en) * 2004-01-29 2010-04-13 Authentec, Inc. System for and method of finger initiated actions
GB0402316D0 (en) * 2004-02-03 2004-03-10 Eleksen Ltd Position and pressure detector
US20050179657A1 (en) * 2004-02-12 2005-08-18 Atrua Technologies, Inc. System and method of emulating mouse operations using finger image sensors
MXPA06009993A (en) * 2004-03-02 2007-03-21 Patient Transfer Systems Inc Patient transfer device having inclined upper surface.
WO2005104904A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-10 Tactex Controls Inc. Body support apparatus having automatic pressure control and related methods
US7883478B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2011-02-08 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient support having real time pressure control
US8828203B2 (en) 2004-05-20 2014-09-09 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Printable hydrogels for biosensors
EP1765194A4 (en) 2004-06-03 2010-09-29 Pelikan Technologies Inc Method and apparatus for a fluid sampling device
US9775553B2 (en) 2004-06-03 2017-10-03 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for a fluid sampling device
DE102004034816B4 (en) * 2004-07-19 2007-08-30 Erdelt, Herwig K., Dr.med. Device for moving the spine during the sleep and resting phases of a person lying and method for controlling such a device and their use
US20060016016A1 (en) * 2004-07-26 2006-01-26 Hornbach David W Modular bed system
US7319386B2 (en) 2004-08-02 2008-01-15 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Configurable system for alerting caregivers
AT501818A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-11-15 Greiner Purtec Gmbh SEAT PAD FOR A SEAT, ESPECIALLY PLANE SEAT
US8652831B2 (en) 2004-12-30 2014-02-18 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Method and apparatus for analyte measurement test time
CN101115438B (en) * 2005-02-07 2010-06-16 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Device for determining a stress level of a person and providing feedback on the basis of the stress level as determined
US7831070B1 (en) 2005-02-18 2010-11-09 Authentec, Inc. Dynamic finger detection mechanism for a fingerprint sensor
US8231056B2 (en) * 2005-04-08 2012-07-31 Authentec, Inc. System for and method of protecting an integrated circuit from over currents
FR2886229A1 (en) * 2005-05-26 2006-12-01 Thierry Mazaud Pneumatic seat device for motor vehicle, has pneumatic pipe supplying air to base and backrest of seat, and pneumatic controls actuating opening of solenoid valves for increasing or reducing air pressure contained in base and backrest
JP5208732B2 (en) * 2005-06-10 2013-06-12 ヒル−ロム サービシーズ，インコーポレイティド Control means for pressurized bag in patient support device
US7716761B1 (en) 2005-07-06 2010-05-18 Gilstad Dennis W Adaptive positioning system
US8117701B2 (en) 2005-07-08 2012-02-21 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Control unit for patient support
WO2007016054A2 (en) * 2005-07-26 2007-02-08 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method of controlling an air mattress
DE102005038289B3 (en) * 2005-08-12 2007-03-08 Metzeler Schaum Gmbh Method for detecting and changing a distribution of pressure on a sitting or lying arrangement caused by a human body and such a sitting or lying arrangement
US7940249B2 (en) * 2005-11-01 2011-05-10 Authentec, Inc. Devices using a metal layer with an array of vias to reduce degradation
US8104122B2 (en) 2005-12-19 2012-01-31 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient support having an extendable foot section
WO2007097979A2 (en) * 2006-02-10 2007-08-30 Atrua Technologies, Inc. Systems using variable resistance zones and stops for generating inputs to an electronic device
JP4290704B2 (en) * 2006-02-13 2009-07-08 忠男 倉田 Body part weight measurement system
US20070199154A1 (en) * 2006-02-24 2007-08-30 Escaross Essam B System and method for adjusting pressure in pockets or zones
DE102006015523A1 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-10-04 Recaro Aircraft Seating Gmbh & Co. Kg seat device
EP2019911B1 (en) * 2006-05-09 2015-04-01 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Pulmonary mattress
US7885436B2 (en) * 2006-07-13 2011-02-08 Authentec, Inc. System for and method of assigning confidence values to fingerprint minutiae points
US9235274B1 (en) 2006-07-25 2016-01-12 Apple Inc. Low-profile or ultra-thin navigation pointing or haptic feedback device
WO2008030981A2 (en) * 2006-09-06 2008-03-13 Blumberg J Seth Digital bed system
US7849545B2 (en) 2006-11-14 2010-12-14 Hill-Rom Industries Sa Control system for hospital bed mattress
US7784131B2 (en) * 2007-09-07 2010-08-31 Anodyne Medical Devices, Llc Distributed pressure control for support surfaces
DE102007053119A1 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for adjusting a seat and seat
WO2009089647A1 (en) * 2008-01-14 2009-07-23 Han-Chung Hsu Chair adapted to adjust according to person's sitting-posture vertebral curve (i)
WO2009100579A1 (en) * 2008-02-04 2009-08-20 Han-Chung Hsu Chair adapted to adjust according to person's sitting-posture vertebral curve
US9785330B1 (en) 2008-02-13 2017-10-10 Apple Inc. Systems for and methods of providing inertial scrolling and navigation using a fingerprint sensor calculating swiping speed and length
ES2405106T3 (en) 2008-02-14 2013-05-30 Kingsdown, Inc. Apparatus and methods that provide variable support and variable comfort control of a sleeping system and automatic adjustment thereof
EP2540194B1 (en) * 2008-02-14 2014-04-30 Kingsdown, Inc. Apparatuses and methods for evaluating a person for a sleep system
WO2009108228A1 (en) * 2008-02-25 2009-09-03 Kingsdown, Inc. Systems and methods for controlling a bedroom environment and for providing sleep data
WO2009105935A1 (en) * 2008-02-27 2009-09-03 Hsu Han-Chung Chair adapted to adjust according to person's sitting-posture vertebral curve (iii)
WO2009126900A1 (en) 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Pelikan Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for analyte detecting device
US8914928B2 (en) 2008-09-10 2014-12-23 Huntleigh Technology Limited Angle detection and control
US8593284B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2013-11-26 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. System and method for reporting status of a bed
US7841663B2 (en) * 2008-10-01 2010-11-30 Lear Corporation Vehicle seat lumbar system
US8801635B2 (en) 2008-10-03 2014-08-12 Hlz Innovation, Llc Adjustable pneumatic supporting surface
EP2348918A1 (en) * 2008-10-13 2011-08-03 George Papaioannou Adaptable surface for use in beds and chairs to reduce occurrence of pressure ulcers
WO2010048112A1 (en) * 2008-10-24 2010-04-29 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Apparatuses for supporting and monitoring a person
US9375169B2 (en) 2009-01-30 2016-06-28 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Cam drive for managing disposable penetrating member actions with a single motor and motor and control system
US7992217B2 (en) * 2009-04-30 2011-08-09 The Invention Science Fund I, Llc Shape changing material
US8784342B2 (en) * 2009-04-30 2014-07-22 The Invention Science Fund I Llc Shape sensing clothes to inform the wearer of a condition
US20100289302A1 (en) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-18 Nitring Enterprise Inc. Seat adjusting method and system thereof
DE102009021532A1 (en) * 2009-05-15 2010-11-18 Nitring Enterprise Inc. Vehicle chair adjusting method, involves comparing pressure signals with pressure values, and adjusting air amount in pockets based on comparison result, where comparison and adjustment steps are performed until signals correspond to values
FR2946427B1 (en) 2009-06-05 2011-09-30 Hill Rom Ind Sa PRESSURE SENSOR COMPRISING A CAPACITIVE CELL AND SUPPORT DEVICE HAVING THE SAME.
CN201542119U (en) * 2009-06-23 2010-08-11 许汉忠 Seat capable of automatically supporting human body vertebral curve
US8752220B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2014-06-17 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Systems for patient support, monitoring and treatment
US8525679B2 (en) * 2009-09-18 2013-09-03 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Sensor control for apparatuses for supporting and monitoring a person
US20110301432A1 (en) 2010-06-07 2011-12-08 Riley Carl W Apparatus for supporting and monitoring a person
US8965476B2 (en) 2010-04-16 2015-02-24 Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland Gmbh Tissue penetration device
US8844073B2 (en) 2010-06-07 2014-09-30 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Apparatus for supporting and monitoring a person
US8717181B2 (en) 2010-07-29 2014-05-06 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bed exit alert silence with automatic re-enable
US8432287B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2013-04-30 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Apparatus for controlling room lighting in response to bed exit
US9345335B2 (en) * 2010-09-27 2016-05-24 Gualtiero G. Giori Pressure control and feedback system for an adjustable foam support apparatus
US8803682B2 (en) 2010-12-07 2014-08-12 J.T. Labs Limited Sleep-posture sensing and monitoring system
DE102012201331A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2012-09-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seat, in particular vehicle seat, with a deformation element and method for driving a deformation element of a seat
US9707142B2 (en) * 2011-03-03 2017-07-18 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Occupant support and method for positioning an occupant on the occupant support
CH705224A1 (en) * 2011-07-01 2013-01-15 Compliant Concept Ag Apparatus for changing characteristics of an airfoil for health prophylaxis and corresponding method.
WO2013014948A1 (en) * 2011-07-28 2013-01-31 東海ゴム工業株式会社 Mattress and method for controlling same
US20130104312A1 (en) * 2011-10-26 2013-05-02 Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. Mattress with capacitive immersion control
US9827156B2 (en) 2011-11-11 2017-11-28 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Person support apparatus
KR101213400B1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2012-12-21 주식회사 세라젬셀루피딕 Method and apparatus for controlling pressure of mattress
US8973186B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2015-03-10 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Optimization of the operation of a patient-support apparatus based on patient response
US9655795B2 (en) * 2012-04-10 2017-05-23 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Occupant support with a migration sensitive bladder and method for migration detection
JP6261879B2 (en) 2012-05-22 2018-01-17 ヒル−ロム サービシズ，インコーポレイテッド User bed prediction system, method and apparatus
US9861550B2 (en) 2012-05-22 2018-01-09 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Adverse condition detection, assessment, and response systems, methods and devices
US9228885B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2016-01-05 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient support systems and methods of use
US9833369B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2017-12-05 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient support systems and methods of use
US8973193B2 (en) * 2012-08-08 2015-03-10 Richard N. Codos Methods of optimizing a pressure contour of a pressure adjustable platform system
JP6019982B2 (en) * 2012-09-18 2016-11-02 オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 Body exercise equipment
US10292605B2 (en) 2012-11-15 2019-05-21 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Bed load cell based physiological sensing systems and methods
US9333136B2 (en) 2013-02-28 2016-05-10 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Sensors in a mattress cover
US10238560B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2019-03-26 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Air fluidized therapy bed having pulmonary therapy
US9655798B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-05-23 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Multi-alert lights for hospital bed
FR3013328B1 (en) * 2013-11-20 2017-08-04 Zodiac Seats France SELF-ADJUSTABLE AIRCRAFT SEAT TO THE MORPHOLOGY OF A PASSENGER
GB2522452B (en) * 2014-01-24 2017-07-19 Chapelglade Ltd System for measuring body characteristics relevant for mattress selection
US10328823B2 (en) 2014-06-09 2019-06-25 Lear Corporation Adjustable seat assembly
US9987961B2 (en) 2014-06-09 2018-06-05 Lear Corporation Adjustable seat assembly
US9849734B2 (en) 2014-10-31 2017-12-26 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Pneumatic tire with a three dimensional component
US20160128490A1 (en) * 2014-11-07 2016-05-12 Chien-chuan Cheng Automatic inflatable cushion
NL2014089B1 (en) * 2015-01-07 2016-09-30 Duux Int B V Comfortable child seat.
US9776724B2 (en) * 2015-05-13 2017-10-03 Ami Industries, Inc. Varying tube size of seat to prolong comfort in aerospace vehicle
US9884570B2 (en) 2015-05-19 2018-02-06 Lear Corporation Adjustable seat assembly
US9845026B2 (en) 2015-05-19 2017-12-19 Lear Corporation Adjustable seat assembly
US10765577B2 (en) 2015-06-30 2020-09-08 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Microclimate system for a patient support apparatus
US10624804B2 (en) 2015-08-18 2020-04-21 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Microclimate management airflow control based on incontinence detection
US9661928B2 (en) 2015-09-29 2017-05-30 Lear Corporation Air bladder assembly for seat bottoms of seat assemblies
US10085565B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2018-10-02 Lear Corporation Sacral air bladder assembly
US9949568B2 (en) * 2015-12-09 2018-04-24 Lear Corporation Pelvic and sacral bladder assembly
US9827888B2 (en) 2016-01-04 2017-11-28 Lear Corporation Seat assemblies with adjustable side bolster actuators
US10071603B2 (en) 2016-04-26 2018-09-11 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Lightweight tire
US10085570B2 (en) * 2016-05-13 2018-10-02 Srigiri Shankar Bellam Posture detection and correction cushion
JP6577420B2 (en) * 2016-06-23 2019-09-18 アイシン精機株式会社 Pneumatic control device for vehicle seat and pneumatic control method for vehicle seat
ES2648539B1 (en) * 2016-06-29 2018-06-27 David LOPEZ ESCRIBANO Adaptive Organoleptic Body Support
US10561253B2 (en) * 2016-07-29 2020-02-18 Bryte, Inc. Adaptive sleep system using data analytics and learning techniques to improve individual sleep conditions
US10363852B2 (en) * 2016-09-15 2019-07-30 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Apparatus and method for customizing a vehicle seat
CN106420138A (en) * 2016-10-27 2017-02-22 福建中医药大学 Three-dimensional action control device capable of individually adjusting curvature sectional spine traction bed
CN106344244A (en) * 2016-10-27 2017-01-25 福建中医药大学 Gradient individually-adjustable three-dimensional air cushion structure for sectional backbone drawing bed
US10575654B2 (en) 2016-10-28 2020-03-03 Sleep Number Corporation Air manifold
JP6782486B2 (en) * 2016-10-28 2020-11-11 学校法人 工学院大学 Force measuring device and biomechanical analysis system
US10993546B2 (en) 2016-10-28 2021-05-04 Sleep Number Corporation Noise reducing plunger
US11627816B2 (en) * 2017-01-16 2023-04-18 Textron Innovations, Inc. Automatically adjusting comfort system
CN106580650A (en) * 2017-01-23 2017-04-26 惠州金桔家具有限公司 Expansion pad massage device
CN107878278B (en) * 2017-11-09 2020-01-10 吉林大学 Array type automobile seat profile self-adaptive adjusting device and method
JP6660425B2 (en) * 2018-07-20 2020-03-11 ミネベアミツミ株式会社 Attitude control device
JP7245431B2 (en) * 2019-02-01 2023-03-24 トヨタ自動車株式会社 vehicle
US11389352B2 (en) 2019-04-07 2022-07-19 Sleepme Inc. Devices and methods to help prevent decubitus ulcers
CN112826271B (en) * 2019-11-25 2023-02-03 魏宏帆 Seat device and support device
JP7110255B2 (en) * 2020-02-07 2022-08-01 ミネベアミツミ株式会社 Attitude control device
US11786046B2 (en) 2020-04-07 2023-10-17 Lg Electronics Inc. Bed
KR20210124679A (en) * 2020-04-07 2021-10-15 엘지전자 주식회사 Bed
KR20210124680A (en) * 2020-04-07 2021-10-15 엘지전자 주식회사 Control method of bed
CN112092686A (en) * 2020-08-20 2020-12-18 艾福迈汽车系统(上海)有限公司 Adaptive seat comfort system based on fit of passenger and seat and adjusting method
US11649004B2 (en) * 2021-03-30 2023-05-16 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Seat devices comprising artificial muscles
US11832728B2 (en) 2021-08-24 2023-12-05 Sleep Number Corporation Controlling vibration transmission within inflation assemblies

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2348124C3 (en) * 1973-09-25 1978-06-15 Gerard Kingersheim Burgin (Frankreich) Seat and / or backrest cushions for a chair or armchair
CH585541A5 (en) * 1974-09-25 1977-03-15 Marpal Ag
DE2922619A1 (en) * 1979-06-02 1980-12-11 Battelle Institut E V Recliner couch or seat for spinal support - consists of segments adjustable as to pressure using regulator system
JPS5925709A (en) * 1982-07-31 1984-02-09 アイシン精機株式会社 Air lamber support apparatus
JPS59230833A (en) * 1983-06-14 1984-12-25 Hitachi Ltd Driver's seat
IL69528A (en) * 1983-08-19 1988-06-30 Brig Res Ltd Apparatus for the prevention of pressure sores
US4634083A (en) * 1984-09-11 1987-01-06 Cae Electronics Ltd. Helicopter seat isolation system
JPS61154587A (en) * 1984-12-26 1986-07-14 奈良スポ−ツ株式会社 Apparatus for controlling clamping force of ski boots
ATE46250T1 (en) * 1985-07-24 1989-09-15 Raichle Sportschuh Ag SPORTS BOOT, ESPECIALLY SKI BOOT.
JPS62238142A (en) * 1986-04-08 1987-10-19 Ikeda Bussan Co Ltd Centralized control device for vehicle loaded device
US4797962A (en) * 1986-11-05 1989-01-17 Air Plus, Inc. Closed loop feedback air supply for air support beds
IT1203852B (en) * 1987-04-03 1989-02-23 Claudio Zarotti STRUCTURE OF ARMCHAIR, SOFA AND SIMILAR
DE3804960C2 (en) * 1988-02-18 1998-06-04 Mannesmann Vdo Ag Procedure for monitoring the filling of air chambers in a seat
US4890235A (en) * 1988-07-14 1989-12-26 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Computer aided prescription of specialized seats for wheelchairs or other body supports
US4999932A (en) * 1989-02-14 1991-03-19 Royce Medical Company Variable support shoe
US5060174A (en) * 1990-04-18 1991-10-22 Biomechanics Corporation Of America Method and apparatus for evaluating a load bearing surface such as a seat
US5170364A (en) * 1990-12-06 1992-12-08 Biomechanics Corporation Of America Feedback system for load bearing surface

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016075599A1 (en) * 2014-11-10 2016-05-19 Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (Epfl) System for adjusting pressure locally acting on the skin and subcutaneous tissue
US10945911B2 (en) 2014-11-10 2021-03-16 Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (Epfl) System for adjusting pressure locally on the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0489310A1 (en) 1992-06-10
US5283735A (en) 1994-02-01
JPH05337021A (en) 1993-12-21
DE69124490D1 (en) 1997-03-13
DE69124490T2 (en) 1997-05-22
CA2056176A1 (en) 1992-06-07
EP0489310B1 (en) 1997-01-29
US5170364A (en) 1992-12-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2056176C (en) Feedback system for load bearing surface
CN110154836B (en) Occupant posture adjusting device for vehicle seat
Gross et al. The biomechanical assessment and prediction of seat comfort
US5930152A (en) Apparatus for positioning a human body
CN109941155B (en) Occupant detection and seating disturbance detection for seat assemblies
US5642302A (en) Method and apparatus for positioning a human body
DE102005038289B3 (en) Method for detecting and changing a distribution of pressure on a sitting or lying arrangement caused by a human body and such a sitting or lying arrangement
Hostens et al. Buttock and back pressure distribution tests on seats of mobile agricultural machinery
EP2254445B1 (en) Molded product and use thereof
Ng et al. Evaluation of an intelligent seat system
DE102016206626A1 (en) Adjustable seating arrangement
DE102016206625A1 (en) Adjustable seating arrangement
WO1999063314A1 (en) Method of pressure mapping for prediction of comfort in an automotive seat
EP0778173A2 (en) Seat with variable pressure cavities, which have a flexible support wall
US20060150756A1 (en) Method and device for determining the sitting comfort a seat cushion, which is perceived by a person
US20220410778A1 (en) Smart vehicle seat
EP0918664A1 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling an airbag
CA3153165A1 (en) Method of determining the place and location of a person&#39;s pelvis
CN111588223A (en) Electric seat capable of self-adapting to angles of pelvis and spine of human body
Kwiatkowski et al. A closed loop automated seating system
Adler The relation between long-term seating comfort and driver movement
Reed Design criteria for automobile seatbacks based on preferred driver postures
Campos et al. Pressure Sensing and Control of an Aircraft Passenger Seat
WO2023237977A1 (en) Method of operating a chair with automatically adaptable ergonomics and chair with automatically adaptable ergonomics
CN112888411A (en) Device for supporting a person

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKLA Lapsed