Abstract:
The Invention is a decision making process and method to govern the combination of existing prior art associated with Pressure Bed Systems and sleep analysis tools. The invention creates a unique product that uses the biological signals of a User to generate an automated response to control a bed or mattress structure that is constructed with the relevant equipment to change the relative firmness or softness (to be described as ‘pressure’) of the bed or mattress. The intention of the automation is to better the quality of the User&#39;s sleep through the influencing of the User&#39;s bed or mattress and the assisted waking of the User at a User defined time through the same mechanism. 
     Fields of Invention
       a) Beds and mattress   b) Sleep aids   c) Sleep analysis

Description:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The Invention is the process and method for the combination of existing Sleep Cycle Monitoring technology and Pressure Bed Systems to create a unique product in the form of an automated Pressure Bed System. 
         [0002]    The automated Pressure Bed System retains existing Pressure Bed System characteristics . and technology with the addition of process that:
       a) Adapt the Pressure Bed System to a User&#39;s Sleep Cycle;   b) Actively advance the quality of a User&#39;s sleep;   c) Actively aid in the awakening process of a User; &amp;   d) Connect wirelessly the Pressure Bed System with extrinsic technology for the input and output of commands and data.       
 
         [0007]    The Invention is capable of:
       a) Mass production;   b) Manual or automated control of the Pressure Bed System through a remote control input (wirelessly and/or tethered);   c) Monitoring of biological signals of the User to determine the Sleep Cycle of the User;   d) Automatically adapting the Pressure Bed System to suit the Sleep Cycle of the User;   e) Automatically adapt the Pressure Bed System to control the quality of the User&#39;s sleep;   f) Recording biological signals and Sleep Cycle information to provide a Sleep Cycle report;   g) Connecting (wirelessly or tethered) to smart phone or computer software to graphically present Sleep Cycle data;   h) Utilising historical data within an algorithm to make decisions;   i) Utilising historical data to influence the algorithm and improve the decision making;   j) Receiving waking alarm information (wirelessly or tethered) from a smart phone or computer to automatically adapt the Pressure Bed System to optimise waking environment for the User; &amp;   k) Selecting a time according to a decision making algorithm to begin a waking procedure.       
 
       DEFINITIONS &amp; TERMS 
       [0019]    Alternative User Sleep Cycle Models: 
         [0020]    Biological Signals: means the User&#39;s movements, heartbeat, temperature, breathing rate or any other biological output that can be measured for the purpose of determining a User&#39;s Sleep Cycle. 
         [0021]    Ensemble: a bed structure generally made up of a bed base and mattress, where the bed base is designed to work functionally with the mattress. 
         [0022]    Pressure: is the measure of relative firmness or softness which can be adapted by command. 
         [0023]    Pressure Bed System: includes any bed or mattress that is capable of modifying the pressure of the bed or mattress via an input command. The term “Air Bed Systems” is used as general industry for most of these bed types; however it is irrelevant to this invention whether a change in the pressure in the bed or mattress is related or directly achieved through the use of air, springs, fluid or any other method or material. 
         [0024]    Sleep Cycle: the varying patterns or stages of human sleep, fluctuating between what is generally described as wakefulness to deep sleep. 
         [0025]    Sleep Cycle Monitoring: the recording of biological data for the specific purpose of determining the varying patterns or stages of a User&#39;s sleep, fluctuating between what is generally described as wakefulness to deep sleep. 
         [0026]    Smart Device: includes the genre of mobile devices that are at the time of drafting this document described as smart phones and tablets, but also includes personal computing devices that are capable of interaction with other devices through either wired or wireless communication. It is envisaged that this includes devices such as iPhones, iPads, Google Android based phones, Microsoft Windows mobile based phones, laptops computers and networked connected personal computers etc. 
         [0027]    User: a person who is making use of the Pressure Bed System and its integrated technology. 
         [0028]    User Sleep Cycle Model: A set of parameters (which are capable of amendment) that currently represent the characteristics of a user&#39;s various sleep patterns. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (PRIOR ART) 
     Air Bed System 
       [0029]    The below description is of one form of Air Bed System and consequently one form of bed or mattress structure that can change the relative firmness or softness of the bed or mattress at command. The description of this type of Air Bed System is included merely to provide context to the latter detailed description of the Invention, however the Invention should be noted to apply to any Pressure Bed System as defined in the definition section of this document. 
         [0030]    Air Bed Systems, such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,172 which is incorporated merely by reference generally allows a User to select a desired pressure for each air bladder within the mattress. 
         [0031]    In operation, upon selecting the desired pressure, a signal is sent to a pump and valve assembly in order to inflate or deflate the air bladders as necessary to achieve the desired pressure within the air bladders. 
         [0032]    The Air Bed System generally comprises a bladder pneumatically connected to an electric pump. The bladder is surrounded by a soft border and encased by mattress ticking. 
         [0033]    The electric pump includes a remote control (tethered or wireless) which allows a User to inflate or deflate the bladder. 
         [0034]    The manual operated remote control electronically communicates with a circuit board controlling the pump and monitoring the pressure in the bladder. 
         [0035]    A control box or switch box with a programmable timing circuit operates the pump and associated relief valves such that the air pressure in the bladder changes in coordination with the instructions from the remote control 
         [0036]    The Air Bed System will monitor and the pressure through various techniques and inflate or deflate the air bladders as necessary to ensure the maintenance of the desired pressure. 
         [0037]    Air Bed Systems have become increasingly popular internationally due to the adaptive nature of the sleeping environment. Similar larger ensembles are sold on their attractiveness to couples who would prefer a different feeling ensemble as the Air Bed Systems can be used to have differing pressures on each side of the ensemble. 
         [0038]    Current Air Bed Systems maintain to a reasonable accuracy the pressure within the air bladder to the User&#39;s predefined setting. 
         [0039]    A User must actively change the desired pressure for the Air Bed System to calibrate the bladder to a different pressure. 
       Sleep Cycle Monitoring 
       [0040]    Sleep Cycle Monitoring, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,041 which is incorporated merely by reference generally allows a User to monitor and discriminate a Sleep Cycle of a User and selectively compute an optimum waking time of the User. 
         [0041]    The monitoring system generally comprises:
       a) A means for setting a measuring time, &amp;   b) A means for measuring a biological signal (movement in this instance) of the User.       
 
         [0044]    The computational system generally comprises:
       a) Computing means for providing variation indexes representing variation of a biological signal in denoting a tendency of increment in a time series from a starting time of the measuring to a time when the biological signal is obtained with second variation amount denoting a standard variation of the biological signal during said the following measuring time;   b) A sleep index operating means for providing sleep indexes allowing a Sleep Cycle and all other Sleep Cycles to be discriminated from one another on the basis of said variation indexes be compared to predetermined thresholds; and   c) A computing means for calculating an optimal awakening time based on current Sleep Cycles and awakening the User to maximize Sleep Cycles.       
 
         [0048]    The wakening system generally comprises:
       a) A means for generating an awakening stimulus to be given to the User,   b) A means for setting an awakening time;   c) A means for controlling operation of said awakening stimulus.   d) A means for setting a reference value which can be regarded as said biological signal at a stably resting and awakening state on the basis of the biological signal at initial stage of the measurement, and means for presuming a sleep-on set time when the biological signal is not within the said predetermined threshold set on the basis of said reference value.       
 
         [0053]    e) A means for judging a state of re-sleeping on the basis of a biological signal measured after an actuation of said awakening stimulus generating means and actuating again the awakening stimulus generating means. 
       PATENT BACKGROUND 
       [0054]    1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,711 B2 “Air Mattress Control System and Method” Feb. 3, 2004 
         [0055]    2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,784 “Air Bed with Firmness Control” Jul. 26, 1983 
         [0056]    3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,941 “Air Control System for an Air Bed” May 18, 1999 
         [0057]    4. U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,041 B2 “Monitoring and Control of Sleep Cycles” Oct. 27, 2009 
         [0058]    5. US 2005/0190065 A1 “Natural Alarm Clock” Sep. 1, 2005 
         [0059]    6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,133 “User Responsive Sleep Monitoring and Awakening Device” Jul. 27, 1999 
         [0060]    7. US 2008/0191885 “Easy wake Device” Aug. 14, 2008 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0061]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating the steps in the general operation of the Sleep Cycle Bed. 
           [0062]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the decision-making processes associated with the adjustment of Pressure. 
           [0063]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the steps in the waking of the User 
           [0064]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the steps associated with data monitoring. 
           [0065]      FIG. 5  are a block diagram illustrating the steps associated with data analytics. 
           [0066]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the components of the Sleep Cycle Bed. 
           [0067]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a possible embodiment of the components of the Sleep Cycle Bed. 
       
    
    
     POSSIBLE EMBODIMENT 
       [0068]    In  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  the Sleep Cycle Bed is depicted in an ensemble consisting of a mattress  1  and base  2  with all major components contained within. Within the base  2  is included the Pressure Control System  6 , Control Board  5 , Power System  4  and Wireless Connection  12 . Within the mattress are the Biological Signal Monitors  7  and Biological Signal Monitoring System  11 . 
         [0069]    The Power System  4  provides power to all systems within the base  2  and the mattress  1 . The Power System  4  connects externally to a power source via a power cable  9 . The systems within the base  2  are connected to and interface with one another via series of cabling  14  capable of transmitting both power and data. Information from the Biological Signal Monitoring System  11  is transferred via cabling  15  capable of transmitting both power and data to the Control Board  5 . 
         [0070]    The Pressure System  3  is controlled by the Pressure Control System  6 . It is connected via cabling  13  to transmit adjustments in pressure. In the case of an Air Bed System for the purposes of a pressure control, the Pressure Control System  6  will include a pump and tubing to transmit determined volumes of air. The Pressure System  3  is a bladder the can be filled with volumes of air to adjust the pressure of the bed. 
         [0071]    The mattress  1  encompasses ordinary mattress features including a mattress topper  8  to provide for increased conform, support features and edging to aid with the rigidity of the mattress&#39;  1  sides. Below the mattress topper  8 , the Biological Signal Monitors  7  are situated to record the User&#39;s biological signals in the most effective manner. The Biological Signal Monitors  7  are connected via cabling  10  to the Biological Signal Monitoring System  11 . 
         [0072]    The systems of the Sleep Cycle Bed are located with the bed frame. A remote control may be connected wirelessly or via wired connection to the Control Board  5 . The remote control will contain controls for the manual adjustment of the pressure, the engagement/disengagement of the automation mode, the engagement/disengagement of the waking mode and the engagement/disengagement of the connection to a Smart Device. 
       Alternate Embodiments 
       [0073]    This claim of art covers the inclusion of the process of the analysis of biological signals for the purposes of adjusting the pressure of the bed 
       Biological Signal Monitors 
       [0074]    It is envisaged that monitors within a Sleep Cycle Bed can monitor any biological signal that is capable of contributing to the determination of the User&#39;s state of sleep. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  shows the Biological Signal Monitors as located in a single location within the mattress. This representation is done merely for information purposes, as dependent on the biological signal sought to be monitored the placement may vary anywhere within the ensemble. 
         [0000]    Interaction between System Control Board, Biological Monitoring Board Power &amp; Pressure Systems 
         [0076]    The internal control and analytical elements of the Sleep Cycle Bed may combine into an individual set of circuitry or may be kept separate. How this element of the art is constructed is not a claim of this art. 
       Ensemble 
       [0077]      FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  exhibits the Sleep Cycle Bed in an ensemble arrangement. It is considered that any embodiment of the processes of the Sleep Cycle Bed, whether contained within an ensemble or a mattress utilising a bed constructed of a third party frame and mattress, is considered to be entirely within the contemplation of this art.