Patent ID: 8381336
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: A61B,A61G,G01G,G08B

Abstract:
1. A bed apparatus, comprising: a load measuring unit for detecting a load of a bed section and generating a load signal; a body weight computing unit for computing a body weight of a user positioned on the bed section on a basis of said load signal, said body weight computing unit setting a reference body weight of the user after the user has initially lain on the bed; a first determination unit for determining whether said body weight is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold, said prescribed threshold being derived from the reference body weight, considering the body weight when the user is sitting on the bed and when the user's feet are placed on the floor; a center-of-gravity position computing unit for computing a center-of-gravity position of said user on the basis of said load signal; a second determination unit for determining whether said center-of-gravity position is in a monitored area of the bed section, said monitored area comprising an edge sitting position at an edge of the bed section; a body weight threshold setting means for setting the prescribed threshold of said body weight, and a center-of-gravity position monitored area setting unit for setting said monitored area of said center-of-gravity position; and a controller for detecting whether said user is sitting at said edge sitting position of the bed section, based on a combination of when said first determination unit has determined that said body weight is equal to or less than the prescribed threshold and that said second determination unit has determined that said center-of-gravity position is within said monitored area, wherein said user is detected as sitting at said edge sitting position of the bed section, when said first determination unit has determined that said body weight is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold in combination with said second determination unit that has determined that said center-of-gravity position is within said monitored area.