In one example, this disclosure describes a method including determining, at a central controller of an air mattress system, whether a user is present on a mattress of the air mattress system, initiating a timer in response to determining that the user is present on the mattress, enabling a light control feature of the air mattress system upon determining that the user is present on the mattress after expiration of the timer, and after enabling the light control feature, transmitting, from the central controller, at least one instruction to turn on at least one light of the air mattress system in response to determining that the user is no longer present on the mattress.

A patient support, such as a mattress, includes a plurality of inflatable bladders. Depth sensors are included in the support that measure the degree of penetration of a patient into the mattress. An air pressure sensor is also included that measures the pressure inside at least one bladder. A suitable inflation level of the mattress is determined by monitoring the rate of change of the depth with respect to air pressure as the bladder is either inflated or deflated. By detecting an inflection point in the graphical relationship of the depth and pressure outputs, a suitable inflation point for the bladders is determined that reduces interface pressures experienced by the patient, yet does not overly sink the patient into the mattress to a degree of discomfort. Analyzing the outputs of the depth and pressure sensors can also be used to detect a patient's heart rate and respiration rate.

An air bed system including a plurality of peripheral devices and a pump unit configured to adjust a firmness of an air mattress, the pump unit including a pump. The system further includes a controller configured to execute instructions that cause the pump unit to wirelessly pair with at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices. The pump unit is configured to receive at least one control signal addressed to the at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices, and transmit the at least one control signal to the addressed device.

A patient support is provided. The patient support may include a plurality of inflatable members. The plurality of inflatable members may include a core including a resilient material. The patient support may be controlled with a first controller positioned within an envelope of the patient support. The patient support may include a detector to detect when an external controller is coupled to the patient support, the patient support being controlled by the second controller when the second controller is present.

Pressure modulating soft actuator array devices and related systems and methods. One example of the present systems comprises: a device having a body that defines a plurality of cavities; a pressure source configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of cavities; a plurality of sensors configured to capture data indicative of pressure within the plurality of cavities; and one or more controllers configured to actuate the pressure source to move fluid toward and/or away from one or more of the plurality of cavities in response to data captured by the plurality of sensors; wherein the device is configured to be disposed between a user and a surface on which the user is seated upon.

An air pump is delineated for an inflatable product that can be selectively connected thereto. The inflatable product includes a shell located on a side wall. The shell includes an internal chamber for selective placement of the air pump and an air valve for selective communication with the air pump. When the air pump is located in the internal chamber it can be moved to switch between a first position and a second position. The air pump includes an air inlet and an air outlet such that the air inlet is in communication with the air valve in the first position to deflate the inflatable product and the air outlet is in communication with the air valve in the second position to inflate the inflatable product. The air pump can also be used externally via manual connection between the air inlet or the air outlet and other inflatable products.

A bed system includes microclimate control capabilities for providing quality sleep experience. The bed system can include a microclimate control subsystem configured to supply conditioned air (e.g., heated or cooled air) to a mattress, or draw ambient air from the mattress, to achieve a desired temperature at the top of the mattress. Utilizing supply of conditioned air to provide air at desired temperature to the mattress system, or utilizing air suction to drain heat away from the mattress system, can provide precise microclimate control at the mattress, thereby permitting conformable sleep.

There is provided a bed device comprising: a support plate; a spring mattress provided on the support plate; a mat provided on the spring mattress; and a hot-air supply device for supplying hot air into the spring mattress, wherein the hot-air supply device is received in the spring mattress, wherein the hot-air supply device includes: a hot-air generation unit for generating hot-air; a hot-air discharge tube protruding from the hot-air generation unit by a predetermined length to discharge the hot-air generated in the hot-air generation unit into the spring mattress; and two hot-air guide members symmetrically disposed about the hot-air discharge tube, wherein the two air guide members are configured to guide the hot-air such that the hot air discharged from the hot-air discharge tube is distributed uniformly over an entire area of the spring mattress.

Adjustable mattress assemblies are described in which a mattress incorporates regions where additional pressure reduction is adjustable via pliable fluid bladders filled with a gas or fluid. Such areas of the mattress where additional pressure reduction is desired may include regions of the mattress which support areas of the body which may be particularly susceptible to pressure ulcers such as the heels, sacral regions, etc.

Active comfort controlled bedding systems and processes of operating the bedding systems generally include a variable firmness control. The active comfort controlled bedding system can include a control unit in electrical communication with a signal generating layer configured to generate heat and alter a firmness property of at least one viscoelastic foam layer, wherein the amount of heat is based on a decrease of the glass transition temperature as a function of the percentage of humidity in the environment. In other embodiments, the bedding system is provided with at least one foam layer comprising a phase change material stratified in a foam structure of the at least one foam layer; and the at least one foam layer is heated to a temperature greater than a melt temperature of the paraffin wax to soften the at least one foam layer. In other embodiments, ambient humidity conditions can be changed.