阅读说明：本技术 用于调控家具物品的温度的系统和方法 (System and method for regulating temperature of an item of furniture ) 是由 马泰奥·弗兰切斯凯蒂 李代潘 威廉·戈瑟尔斯 威廉·亨利·哈里森·考尔斯 马西莫·安德烈亚西 于 2019-12-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供一种用于调控家具物品的一部分的温度的系统及其使用方法。所述系统可以包含至少一个传感器,所述传感器被配置为检测所述家具物品的用户的生物信号。所述系统可以包含温度控制装置,所述温度控制装置被配置为改变所述家具物品的所述部分的所述温度。所述系统可以包含处理器,所述处理器被配置为(i)当所述用户在所述家具物品上睡眠时,基于所述用户在使用所述家具物品时由所述至少一个传感器检测到的所述用户的所述生物信号,指定所述家具物品唤醒所述用户的时间,以及(ii)在所述时间之前通过所述温度控制装置改变所述家具物品的所述部分的所述温度。(The present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture and a method of using the same. The system may include at least one sensor configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the item of furniture. The system may include a temperature control device configured to vary the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture. The system may include a processor configured to (i) specify a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on the bio-signal of the user detected by the at least one sensor while the user is using the item of furniture while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture, and (ii) change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time.)

1. A system for changing the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the system comprising:

at least one sensor that is part of the item of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the item of furniture;

a temperature control device coupled to the portion of the article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture; and

A processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the temperature control device, wherein the processor is configured to (i) specify a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on the bio-signal of the user detected by the at least one sensor while the user is using the furniture while the user is sleeping on the furniture, and (ii) change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture at least 10 minutes before the time.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture at least 30 minutes before the time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein in (ii), the rate of change of the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture is at most 30 ° F/hour.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein in (ii), the rate of change of the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture is at most 10 ° F/hour.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein prior to (ii), the processor is further configured to specify a target temperature to which the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture is to be changed.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the target temperature is specified based on a current temperature of the user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the user is at least 1.5 ° F.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the target temperature is specified based on a current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the portion of the article of furniture is at least 1.5 ° F.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the target temperature is specified based on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on circadian data of the user.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on sleep phase data of the user.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on a health condition of the user.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on a scheduled event of the user.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on a geographic location of the item of furniture.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the time based on traffic conditions near the geographic location.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the time based on weather conditions near the geographic location.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the time based on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the change includes increasing the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the change includes reducing the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the item of furniture is a bed.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the bio-signal of the user includes a cardiac signal of the user.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the bio-signal of the user includes a respiratory signal of the user.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a perspiration signal of the user.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the bio-signal of the user includes a temperature of the user.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the bio-signal of the user includes a motion of the user.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the portion of the article of furniture comprises a plurality of zones, and wherein the temperature control device is configured to selectively vary the temperature of each zone of the plurality of zones.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the processor is configured to selectively vary the temperature of the individual zones of the plurality of zones prior to the time.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to (i) automatically specify the time at which the item of furniture wakes the user based on the bio-signal of the user detected by the at least one sensor while the user is using the item of furniture, and (ii) automatically change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time.

Background

Regulating the temperature of an item of furniture (e.g., a bed) can help improve the quality of a person's activity on the furniture (e.g., sleeping on the bed). Current methods of supporting and/or improving sleep of a user may include electric blankets, heating pads, or bed warmers. For example, the electric blanket may be a blanket with an integrated electric heating device that may be placed over the top of the sheet or under the bottom of the sheet. The electric blanket may be used to pre-heat the bed or keep the occupant warm in bed prior to use. However, turning on the electric blanket may require the user to turn it on manually. Furthermore, the electric blanket provides no additional functions other than heating the bed.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure describes technologies relating to regulating the temperature of an article of furniture, and more particularly, the present disclosure describes regulating the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture using a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas) and one or more temperature regulators of the fluid.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for changing the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the system comprising: (a) at least one sensor that is part of an article of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the article of furniture; (b) a temperature control device coupled to a portion of an article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture; and (c) a processor communicatively coupled to the sensors and the temperature control device, wherein the processor is configured to (i) specify a time when the item of furniture wakes up the user based on a user's bio-signal detected by the user by the at least one sensor while the user is using the item of furniture while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture, and (ii) change a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing (i) at least one sensor as part of an article of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the article of furniture, (ii) a temperature control device coupled to the part of the article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change a temperature of the part of the article of furniture, and (iii) a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the temperature control device; (b) detecting, with the aid of the at least one sensor, a bio-signal of a furniture user when the user is using the furniture item; (c) designating, with the aid of a processor, a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user; and (d) changing the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time with the aid of the processor.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the system comprising: (a) a temperature control device operatively coupled to a portion of an article of furniture configured to change a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture; and (b) a processor communicatively coupled to the temperature control device, the processor configured to specify a time at which the temperature control device changes the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture based at least in part on a predetermined wake-up time of the user, wherein the time is prior to the predetermined wake-up time of the user.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing (i) a temperature control device operatively coupled to a portion of an article of furniture, the temperature control device configured to change a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture, and (ii) a processor communicatively coupled to the temperature control device; and (b) with the aid of the processor, designating, by the temperature control device, a time to change the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture based at least in part on a predetermined wake-up time of the user, wherein the time is prior to the predetermined wake-up time of the user.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the system comprising: (a) a portion of an article of furniture configured to retain a fluid; (b) a reservoir in fluid communication with a portion of the article of furniture, wherein the reservoir is configured to contain a fluid; (c) a temperature regulator in fluid communication with a portion of an article of furniture and the reservoir, wherein the temperature regulator is configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid when the fluid is not contained in the container; and (d) a processor operatively coupled to the temperature regulator, wherein the processor is programmed to control the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing a temperature regulator in fluid communication with (i) a portion of the article of furniture capable of holding a fluid and (ii) a reservoir capable of containing the fluid, wherein the temperature regulator is capable of regulating the temperature of the fluid when the reservoir does not contain the fluid; and (b) controlling, by the computer system, the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby regulating the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the system comprising: (a) an article of furniture comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is configured to retain a fluid; (b) a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid, wherein the common temperature controller comprises (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of the article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid; and (c) a processor operatively coupled to the common temperature controller, the processor programmed to control the common temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the fluid to independently regulate a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid, wherein the common temperature controller comprises (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of an article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture are configured to hold the fluid, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid; and (b) controlling a common temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby independently regulating a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine-executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, performs any of the methods above or elsewhere herein.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system that includes one or more computer processors and computer memory coupled thereto. The computer memory contains machine executable code that, when executed by one or more computer processors, performs any of the methods above or elsewhere herein.

Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Is incorporated by reference

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Drawings

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also "figures" and "illustrations" herein), of which:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of a bed arrangement according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a bed arrangement according to an embodiment.

Figure 3 shows an example of a layer comprising a bedding device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a user sensor placed on a sensor strip according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a sensor strip according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a flow chart of a process of manufacturing a sensor strip body according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4D is a flow chart of a process of manufacturing a sensor bar tail according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate different configurations of sensor bars to accommodate different sized mattresses according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates dividing a heating coil into zones and sub-zones according to one embodiment.

Fig. 6B and 6C illustrate independent control of different sub-zones according to one embodiment.

Fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C are flow charts of processes for determining when to heat or cool a bed device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for recommending bedtime to a user, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process for activating a user alert, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a process of shutting down an appliance, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram of a system capable of automatically controlling a home appliance according to an embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram of a system capable of controlling appliances and homes according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a process for controlling an appliance, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a process for controlling an appliance according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a system for monitoring a bio-signal associated with a user and providing a notification or alert, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process for generating a notification based on a history of bio-signals associated with a user, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a process for generating a comparison between a bio-signal associated with a user and a target bio-signal, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a flow diagram of a process for detecting a seizure according to one embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an illustration of a machine in the example form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or modules discussed herein, may be executed.

Fig. 20 is an example of adjusting the temperature of the bed.

FIG. 21 is an example of a block diagram for adjusting the temperature of a bed.

Fig. 22 is an example of a block diagram for adjusting the current provided to the thermoelectric element to adjust the temperature of the bed.

Fig. 23A-23H illustrate an example of a system for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture.

Fig. 24A-24G illustrate examples of systems for regulating the temperature of portions of an article of furniture.

Fig. 25 and 26 show examples of methods for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture.

Fig. 27 and 28 show different examples of methods for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture.

Detailed Description

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed.

The terms "furniture," "item of furniture," or "piece of furniture" are used interchangeably herein and may refer to a bed, crib, bassinet, chair, seat, love seat, sofa, couch, headrest, stool, ottoman, bench, or any panel intended to be covered with fabric. The article of furniture may be used in a home, office, medical facility (e.g., hospital), or vehicle (such as a car, truck, boat, bus, train, etc.). The article of furniture may be for at least one person (and/or at least one animal, such as a pet). The article of furniture may be intended for at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more individuals. The article of furniture may be for use by up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 person. In an example, the article of furniture may be a bed, and the bed may comprise a variety of sizes including single, double, king, super king, and the like. In another example, the item of furniture may be an infant warmer (i.e., an infant radiant warming table (babytherm)) for providing heat to an infant at one or more temperatures.

The terms "bed" or "bed arrangement" used interchangeably herein may be an item of furniture for sleeping or resting. The bed may contain a mattress, mattress pad and/or covering (e.g., blanket). One or more users may sleep or rest on and/or adjacent to the surface of the bed. The surface may be the top surface of a bed. The top surface of the bed may be flat or textured. The bed may be a mattress. The bed may be a mattress pad covering at least a portion of the surface of the mattress or at least one surface of the mattress. Alternatively or in addition, one or more users may sleep beneath the surface of the bed. The surface may be one or more surfaces of a covering, such as, for example, a blanket. The blanket may be disposed on top of at least a portion of one or more users. The bed may be a blanket.

The bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to fall asleep in bed (e.g., assist one or more users to fall asleep faster). The bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to fall asleep faster than they sleep on a different bed for at least about 0.1 hour. The bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to fall asleep for at least about 0.1 hour, 0.2 hour, 0.3 hour, 0.4 hour, 0.5 hour, 0.6 hour, 0.7 hour, 0.8 hour, 0.9 hour, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2 hours or more as compared to sleeping on a different bed. The bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to fall asleep for up to about 2 hours, 1.5 hours, 1 hour, 0.9 hours, 0.8 hours, 0.7 hours, 0.6 hours, 0.5 hours, 0.4 hours, 0.3 hours, 0.2 hours, 0.1 hours, or less than when sleeping on a different bed. The bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to stay asleep longer (e.g., for an undetermined period of time or a predetermined period of time) in the bed. The bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to remain asleep for at least about 0.5 hours as compared to sleeping on a different bed. A bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to remain asleep for at least about 0.1 hour, 0.2 hour, 0.3 hour, 0.4 hour, 0.5 hour, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, 2.5 hours, 3 hours, 3.5 hours, 4 hours, 4.5 hours, 5 hours, or more hours as compared to sleeping on a different bed. A bed of the present disclosure may assist one or more users to remain asleep for at least about 5 hours, 4.5 hours, 4 hours, 3.5 hours, 3 hours, 2.5 hours, 2 hours, 1.5 hours, 1 hour, 0.5 hours, 0.4 hours, 0.3 hours, 0.2 hours, 0.1 hours, or less than when sleeping on a different bed. When sleeping or resting in bed, the bed may shorten or lengthen the sleep stage of one or more users. A bed may assist one or more users in entering or exiting sleep stages while waking up, sleeping or lying in bed for rest. The bed may improve the sleep quality of one or more users.

The bed of the present disclosure may assist a user to wake from sleep. The bed of the present disclosure may use one or more alert mechanisms to wake the user from sleep. The alarm mechanism may include a personal device (e.g., a mobile device, a computer, a digital alarm, etc.) or the bed itself (e.g., a mattress, a sheet, a blanket, a pillow, a mattress frame, etc.). In some cases, the bed may adjust (or tune) one or more settings of the bed. Such one or more settings of the bed may include temperature, position relative to a resting position of the bed, movement (e.g., vibration, translation, rotation, etc.). In an example, a bed may be capable of increasing and/or decreasing the temperature of a portion of the bed (e.g., a portion of the bed surface) to wake a user sleeping on the portion of the bed. Such beds may be referred to as thermal alarms. In some cases, the bed may be configured to wake up the user at a predetermined wake-up time entered by the user prior to sleeping. In some cases, the bed may not receive data from the user indicating the predetermined wake-up time. In some cases, the bed may be configured to automatically determine a wake-up time (e.g., an optimal wake-up time) to wake up the user based at least in part on one or more detected bio-signals of the user of the bed. The bed may be capable of detecting the movement, presence, and/or absence of a user of the bed using one or more sensors to determine whether the user is awake and/or out of bed. Further, the bed may be configured to automatically reduce and/or turn off one or more alert mechanisms when the user wakes up and/or gets out of bed as determined, at least in part, by the one or more sensors.

The temperature of an item of furniture (e.g., a bed, such as a mattress, mattress pad, or blanket) may be controlled (e.g., the temperature of the bed is increased, decreased, or maintained). The temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture may be controlled. The temperature of the article of furniture may be adjusted or maintained before, during, or after use (e.g., sleep or rest for a period of time) by one or more users. In an example, the bed may be preheated (e.g., automatically or according to user preferences) prior to use by one or more users. In some cases, the temperature of two or more portions of an article of furniture (e.g., a bed) may be controlled separately or simultaneously.

The terms "biological signal" and "bio signal" may be used interchangeably. Examples of bio-signals may include cardiac signals (e.g., heart rate or sound), respiratory (breathing) signals (e.g., breathing rate or sound), movement, temperature, movement, perspiration, sound, neural activity, and the like. An article of furniture (e.g., a bed) may be capable of detecting one or more bio-signals of one or more users. The article of furniture may be capable of adjusting a characteristic of the article of furniture (e.g., a temperature or movement (such as vibration), a geometric configuration, etc. of the article of furniture) to control (e.g., increase, decrease, or maintain) one or more bio-signals of one or more users of the article of furniture.

The term "sleep stage" as used herein may refer to light sleep, deep sleep, or rapid eye movement ("REM") sleep. There are two main stages of sleep: non-REM sleep and REM sleep. A person may experience non-REM sleep first, followed by a shorter period of REM sleep. In some cases, a person may experience a sustained cycle of non-REM sleep and REM sleep. non-REM sleep may have three stages. Each phase may last from 5 to 15 minutes. A person may go through all three stages before entering REM sleep. In the first phase, the eyes of the person may be closed, but the person may be easily awakened. This phase may last from 5 to 10 minutes. The stage may be considered light sleep. In the second stage, the person may be in a light state of sleep. The heart rate of the person may slow and the body temperature of the person may drop. The person's body may be preparing for deep sleep. The stage may also be considered light sleep. The third stage may be a deep sleep stage. The person may be more difficult to wake up at this stage and if the person is awakened, the person may feel disoriented within a few minutes. In the deep stages of non-REM sleep, the body can repair and regenerate tissues, build bone and muscle, and strengthen the immune system. REM sleep may occur 90 minutes after a person falls asleep. In some cases, a person may dreams during REM sleep. The initial phase of REM sleep may typically last 10 minutes. Any later stages of REM sleep may become longer and the last stage of REM sleep may last for about one hour. During REM sleep (e.g., in the final stages of REM sleep), the person's heart rate and breathing may be accelerated. A person may make a violent dream during REM sleep because the brain is more active. REM sleep may affect the learning of certain psychological skills.

As used herein, "sleep mode" may refer to a repetition or variation of (i) one or more bio-signals and/or (ii) one or more sleep stages of a user of a bed. Sleep patterns, as well as counts of one or more biological signals or one or more sleep stages, may be described over a period of time (e.g., 0.5 hours, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, etc.). The sleep mode may contain one or more bio-signals or preferred settings of one or more sleep stages of the user. The preferred settings for the one or more bio-signals may comprise the type of the one or more bio-signals, and a preferred value or range of values for the one or more bio-signals (e.g., a preferred body temperature or range of body temperatures for the user). The preferred settings for one or more sleep stages may include the type of one or more sleep stages, and a preferred value or range of values for one or more sleep stages.

The bed may identify sleep disorders of one or more users. Examples of sleep disorders may include sleep disorders such as insomnia, primary hypersomnia (e.g., narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, recurrent hypersomnia, post-traumatic hypersomnia, hypersomnia associated with menstruation), sleep breathing disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome), circadian rhythm sleep disorders (e.g., delayed sleep phase disorder, late sleep phase disorder, non-24 hour sleep-wake disorder), parasomnia (e.g., bedwetting, bruxism, stress, explosive head syndrome, sleep phobia, REM sleep behavior disorder, nightmare), jet lag, restless leg syndrome, and the like. Methods and systems for monitoring a person's sleep pattern in bed and detecting a person's sleep DISORDERS (e.g., snoring, sleep apnea, etc.) are described in U.S. patent publication No. 2017/0135632 ("DETECTING SLEEPING dis rs"), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

An article of furniture (e.g., a bed) may use one or more sensors and/or one or more computer systems to identify one or more biological signals and/or sleep sequences of one or more users. The one or more sensors may or may not be part of the article of furniture. The one or more sensors may be part of a space (e.g., a room) around the item of furniture. The one or more sensors may be worn by one or more users. One or more sensors may be used to detect a characteristic (e.g., temperature, movement, etc.) of the item of furniture.

The term "module" broadly refers to a software, hardware, or firmware component (or any combination thereof). A module is generally a functional unit that can generate useful data or other output using a specified input or inputs. The modules may or may not be independent. An application (also referred to as an "application") may include one or more modules, or a module may include one or more applications.

The term "on top" may denote two objects, wherein a first object is "on top" of a second object, which may be rotated such that the first object is above the second object with respect to the ground. Two objects may be in direct or indirect contact, or may not be in contact at all.

System and method for regulating temperature of an item of furniture

The present disclosure provides systems for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, a system may comprise an article of furniture. The article of furniture may be operatively coupled to at least one sensor (e.g., at least one user sensor) configured to detect one or more bio-signals of at least one user of the article of furniture (e.g., when the at least one user is on the article of furniture). The detected one or more bio-signals may be used to regulate the temperature of the item of furniture. In some cases, the at least one sensor may be part of an article of furniture. Alternatively, the at least one sensor may not be part of the article of furniture.

In some embodiments, the system may include a temperature control device (or temperature controller, as used interchangeably herein) configured to regulate the temperature of the article of furniture. The temperature control device may be operatively coupled to the item of furniture. The temperature control device may not be coupled to the item of furniture. Alternatively, at least a portion of the temperature control device may be coupled to the article of furniture (e.g., may be disposed above or below the article of furniture, may be disposed within the article of furniture, etc.). In some cases, the temperature control device may include a temperature regulator capable of regulating the temperature of at least a portion of the temperature control device such that the temperature control device may direct the transfer of heat (i) from the temperature control device and to at least a portion of the article of furniture, or (ii) from at least a portion of the article of furniture and to the temperature control device. In some cases, the temperature regulator may be capable of regulating the temperature of a fluid in thermal communication with the temperature control device and at least a portion of the article of furniture. Such fluids may direct the transfer of heat (i) from the temperature control device to at least a portion of the article of furniture, or (ii) from at least a portion of the article of furniture to the temperature control device, as the temperature is regulated.

In some embodiments, a system may include a processor. The processor may be operably coupled to at least one sensor (e.g., or one or more components within at least one sensor), a temperature control device (e.g., or one or more components within a temperature control device), or both. The processor may be configured to direct (e.g., automatically direct) temperature regulation of at least a portion of the article of furniture. In some cases, regulating the temperature of at least a portion of an article of furniture may affect a user of the article of furniture to, for example, improve sleep quality, fall asleep, or wake up.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an example article of furniture, in particular a bed device (e.g., a mattress or bedding), according to an embodiment. Any number of sensors (or user sensors) 140, 150 monitor bio-signals associated with the user, such as heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, motion, or presence associated with the user. Any number of environmental sensors 160, 170 monitor environmental characteristics such as temperature, sound, light, or humidity. The user sensors 140, 150 and the environmental sensors 160, 170 communicate their measurements to the processor 100. The environmental sensors 160, 170 measure environmental characteristics associated with the environmental sensors 160, 170. In one embodiment, the environmental sensors 160, 170 are placed beside the bed. The processor 100 determines based on the bio-signals associated with the user, historical bio-signals associated with the user, user-specified preferences, exercise data associated with the user or received environmental characteristics, control signals, and the time at which the control signals are sent to the bed device 120.

According to one embodiment, the processor 100 is connected to a database 180, said database 180 storing bio-signals associated with a user or users of an item of furniture (e.g. a bed device). Further, the database 180 may store an average bio-signal associated with the user, a history of bio-signals associated with the user, and the like. The database 180 may be associated with a user, or the database 180 may be associated with an item of furniture (e.g., a bed device).

Fig. 2 shows an example of the article of furniture (e.g., a bed device) of fig. 1, according to one embodiment. Sensors (e.g., sensor strips) 210 associated with the mattress 200 of the bed device 120 monitor bio-signals associated with a user sleeping on the mattress 200. The sensor strip 210 may be built into the mattress 200 or may be part of a bedding device. Alternatively, the sensor 210 may be part of any other piece of furniture, such as a rocking chair, a sofa, an armchair, etc. The sensor 210 comprises a temperature sensor or a piezoelectric sensor. The environmental sensor 220 measures an environmental characteristic such as temperature, sound, light, or humidity. According to one embodiment, the environmental sensor 220 is associated with the environment surrounding the mattress 200. The sensors 210 and the environmental sensors 220 communicate the measured environmental characteristics to the processor 230. In some implementations, processor 230 may be similar to processor 100 of fig. 1. The processor 230 may be connected to the sensor 210 or the environmental sensor 220 by a computer bus, such as an I2C bus. Further, the processor 230 may be connected to the sensor 210 or the environmental sensor 220 through a communication network.

By way of example, the communication network connecting the processor 230 to the sensors 210 or environmental sensors 220 includes one or more networks, such as a data network, a wireless network, a telephone network, or any combination thereof. The data network may be any Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), a public data network such as the internet, a short-range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. Further, the wireless network can be, for example, a cellular network and can employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)Etc., and any other suitable wireless medium, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), wireless lan, or wireless lan), wireless lan, or wireless lan, for example,Internet Protocol (IP) datacasting, satellite, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), etc., or any combination thereof.

Processor 230 is any type of microcontroller, or any processor in a mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal, including a mobile device, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, internet node, cloud computer, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, Personal Communication System (PCS) device, personal navigation device, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, gaming device, accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of at least a portion of a component (e.g., a layer) of the article of furniture of fig. 1 (e.g., a bedding device), according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the bedding device 120 is a pad that may be placed on top of a mattress. The bedding device 120 comprises a plurality of sections (e.g., a plurality of layers). The top (e.g., top layer) 350 comprises a fabric. Another portion (e.g., another layer) 340 includes a matrix (e.g., cotton wool) and sensors (e.g., sensor bars) 330. The different portions (e.g., different layers) 320 can be at least a portion of a temperature control device. In an example, the layer 320 contains coils for cooling or heating the bed arrangement. Alternatively, layer 320 may contain a fluid in a fluid flow channel for cooling or heating an article of furniture. Layer 310 comprises a water resistant material.

According to another embodiment, layer 320 comprises a material (e.g., solid, semi-solid, gel, liquid, or combinations thereof) that can be heated from about 0.5 degrees celsius (° c) to about 50 ℃ or cooled from about 50 ℃ to about 0.5 ℃. In some cases, the material may be heated from about 0.5 ℃ to about 50 ℃ or cooled from about 50 ℃ to about 0.5 ℃ without changing the properties of the material, such as the state of matter. Alternatively, the material properties may change during heating or cooling, and such material properties may be reversible. In some cases, the material may be cooled from about 10 ℃ to about 50 ℃ without changing the properties of the material, such as the state of matter. Examples of such materials may be air, water, argon, synthetic materials (such as polymers, carbon nanotubes), etc. According to one embodiment, layer 320 is connected to an external thermal regulator that heats or cools the material based on a signal received from processor 230. The material of layer 320 may be heated or cooled to a temperature in a range between about 10 ℃ to about 50 ℃. The temperature of such materials can be adjusted to at least about 0.1 deg.C, 0.2 deg.C, 0.3 deg.C, 0.4 deg.C, 0.5 deg.C, 0.6 deg.C, 0.7 deg.C, 0.8 deg.C, 0.9 deg.C, 1 deg.C, 2 deg.C, 3 deg.C, 4 deg.C, 5 deg.C, 6 deg.C, 7 deg.C, 8 deg.C, 9 deg.C, 10 deg.C, 11 deg.C, 12 deg.C, 14 deg.C, 15 deg.C, 20 deg.C, 25 deg.C, 30 deg.C, 35 deg.C, 40 deg.C, 45 deg.C, 50 deg.C or higher. The temperature of such materials can be adjusted to at most about 50 ℃, 49 ℃, 48 ℃, 47 ℃, 46 ℃, 45 ℃, 40 ℃, 35 ℃, 30 ℃, 25 ℃, 20 ℃, 15 ℃, 14 ℃, 13 ℃, 12 ℃, 11 ℃, 10 ℃, 9 ℃, 8 ℃, 7 ℃, 6 ℃, 5 ℃, 4 ℃, 3 ℃, 2 ℃, 1 ℃, 0.9 ℃, 0.8 ℃, 0.7 ℃, 0.6 ℃, 0.5 ℃, 0.4 ℃, 0.3 ℃, 0.2 ℃, 0.1 ℃ or lower. The external thermal regulator may be part of a temperature control device operatively coupled to the item of furniture.

According to another embodiment, the layer 320 comprising material is integrated in a mattress, a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed frame or the like. The layer 320 comprising the material may also be integrated with any item of furniture.

Fig. 4A illustrates user sensors 420, 440, 450, 470 placed on a sensor 400 according to one embodiment. In some implementations, the user sensors 420, 440, 450, 470 may be similar to or part of the sensor 210 of fig. 2. The sensors 470 and 440 comprise piezoelectric sensors that can measure bio-signals associated with the user, such as heart rate and respiration rate. The sensors 450 and 420 comprise temperature sensors. According to one embodiment, sensors 450 and 470 measure bio-signals associated with one user, while sensors 420, 440 measure bio-signals associated with another user. The analog-to-digital converter 410 converts the analog sensor signal to a digital signal for delivery to the processor. Computer buses 430 and 460, such as an I2C bus, communicate the digitized bio-signals to the processor.

Fig. 4B is a sensor (e.g., sensor strip) 400 according to one embodiment. The sensor 400 includes several layers, such as a fabric layer 471, a foam layer 473, 475, a piezoelectric sensor 470, 440, a stiffener (e.g., a polymer stiffener, such as a polycarbonate stiffener) 485, a stiffening foam 487, and a temperature sensor 450, 420. Region 477 of the fabric layer 471 is the tail region of the sensor 400. Leads 489 associated with piezo sensors 470, 440 and temperature sensors 450, 420 are placed on top of the tail region 477. The fabric layer 471 includes two short sides and two long sides. The length of the short sides varies from 40mm to 70 mm. The fabric layer 471 has at least one coated surface. The foam layers 473, 475 also have two short sides and two long sides. One of the long sides includes a plurality of protrusions 491 and a plurality of gaps 493 between the plurality of protrusions 491.

FIG. 4C is a flow chart of a process of manufacturing the body of sensor 400, according to one embodiment. In step 472, fabric layer 471 is arranged with the coated surface facing upward. In step 474, a first foam layer is applied to the fabric layer 471. In one embodiment, the first foam layer 473 is centered on the fabric layer 471, with a 10mm margin from the first short side and a 5mm margin from the long side. The second short edge of the margin-to-fabric layer 471 is larger than the margin-to-first short edge. In one embodiment, the margin to the second short side is at least two times greater than the margin to the first short side. The second short edge of the margin to the fabric layer 471 is considered to be the tail of the sensor 400, which contains the tail region 477 of the fabric layer 471. In step 476, two temperature sensors 450, 420 are placed on the first foam layer 473. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor is placed 17mm from the long edge of the fabric layer 471. In step 478, two piezoelectric sensors 470, 440 are placed on the first foam layer 473. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric sensor is centered on the fabric layer 471. In step 480, a second foam layer 475 is applied on top of the piezoelectric sensor. In one embodiment, the second foam layer 475 is centered on the fabric layer 471 with a margin of 10mm from the short side and 5mm from the long side. Further, the second foam layer 475 is placed as a mirror image of the first foam layer 473 and is interleaved with the first foam layer 473. In step 482, a second fabric layer is applied on top of the second foam layer 475. In step 484, the entire assembly, including all layers, is laminated.

FIG. 4D is a flow chart of a process of manufacturing a sensor tail (e.g., sensor bar) 400, according to one embodiment. In step 486, a first polycarbonate reinforcing layer 485 is placed on top of the tail region 477 of the fabric layer 471. In one embodiment, the polycarbonate reinforcement layer 485 has dimensions of 40mm to 70mm by 5mm to 25 mm. The 40mm to 70mm sides match the length of the 40mm to 70mm sides of the sensor 400. In step 488, a first reinforcing foam layer 487 is applied on top of the polycarbonate reinforcing layer 485. In step 490, the leads 489 of the piezo sensors 470, 440 and the leads 489 of the temperature sensors 450, 420 are placed on top of the first stiffening foam layer 487 and past the tail region 477 of the fabric layer 471. In step 492, a second reinforcing foam layer is applied on top of the leads 489. The second reinforcing foam layer is the same size as the first reinforcing foam layer 487. In step 494, a second polycarbonate reinforcing layer is applied on top of the second reinforcing foam layer. The second polycarbonate reinforcing layer has the same size as the first polycarbonate reinforcing layer 485. In step 496, the entire tail assembly is laminated.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate different configurations of sensors (e.g., sensor strips) to accommodate different sized beds (e.g., different sized mattresses), according to one embodiment. Fig. 5C and 5D show how such different configurations of sensors are implemented. Specifically, sensor 400 includes computer bus 510, 530 and sensor strip 505. The computer bus 510, 530 may be bent at a predetermined location 540, 550, 560, 570. Bending computer bus 515 at location 540 results in a maximum total length of computer bus 530. The computer bus 530 in combination with the sensor strip 505 is adapted to fit a king size mattress 520. Bending computer bus 515 at location 570 results in a minimum overall length of computer bus 510. The computer bus 510 in combination with the sensor strip 505 is suitable for a dual-sized mattress 500. Bending the computer bus 515 at location 560 enables the sensor 400 to fit a full-size bed. Bending the computer bus 515 at location 550 enables the sensor 400 to fit a large bed. In some embodiments, a double mattress 500 or a king size mattress 520 may be similar to the mattress 200 of fig. 2.

Fig. 6A illustrates dividing the heating coil 600 into zones and sub-zones according to one embodiment. Specifically, the heating coil 600 is divided into two zones 660 and 610, each zone corresponding to one user of the bed. Each zone 660 and 610 can be heated or cooled independently of the other zones in response to a user's needs. To achieve independent heating of the two zones 660, 610, the power supply associated with the heating coil 600 is divided into two zones, each power supply zone corresponding to a single user zone 660, 610. In addition, each of the region 660 and the region 610 is further subdivided into sub-regions. Region 660 is divided into sub-regions 670, 680, 690, and 695. Region 610 is divided into sub-regions 620, 630, 640, and 650. The coil distribution in each sub-zone is configured such that the sub-zones are uniformly heated. However, the sub-regions may differ from each other in coil density. For example, the data associated with the user sub-region 670 has a lower coil density than the sub-region 680. When the coil is heated, this will result in sub-region 670 having a lower temperature than sub-region 680. Similarly, when a coil is used for cooling, sub-region 670 will have a higher temperature than sub-region 680. According to one embodiment, the sub-regions 680 and 630 with the highest coil density correspond to the lower back of the user; and sub-regions 695 and 650 having the highest coil density correspond to a user's foot. According to one embodiment, even if the user switches the side of the bed, the system will correctly identify which user is sleeping in which zone by identifying the user based on any of the following signals, alone or in combination: heart rate, respiration rate, physical movement, or body temperature associated with the user.

In another embodiment, the power supply associated with the heating coil 600 is divided into a plurality of zones, each power supply zone corresponding to a sub-zone 620, 630, 640, 650, 670, 680, 690, 695. The user can independently control the temperature of each sub-zone 620, 630, 640, 650, 670, 680, 690, 695. Further, each of the users may independently specify a temperature preference for each of the sub-regions. Even if the user changes the side of the bed, the system will correctly identify the user and the preferences associated with the user by identifying the user based on any of the following signals, alone or in combination: heart rate, respiration rate, physical movement, or body temperature associated with the user.

Fig. 6B and 6C illustrate independent control of different sub-zones in each zone 610, 660 according to one embodiment. A set of uniformity coils 611 connected to the power management box 601 uniformly heat or cool the bed. Another set of coils targeted to a specific area of the body, such as the neck, back, legs or feet, is layered on top of the uniform coil 611. Sub-zone 615 heats or cools the neck. Sub-zone 625 heats or cools the backside. Sub-zone 635 heats or cools the foot, and sub-zone 645 heats or cools the foot. Power is distributed to the coils via the duty cycle of the power supply 605. Successive coil groups may be heated or cooled at different levels by assigning a power duty cycle to each group of coils. The user can control the temperature of each sub-zone independently.

FIG. 7A is a flow chart of a process for determining when to heat or cool a bed device, according to one embodiment. At block 700, the process obtains a bio-signal associated with a user, such as presence on a bed, motion, respiration rate, heart rate, or temperature. The process obtains a bio-signal from a sensor associated with a user. Further, at block 710, the process obtains environmental characteristics, such as the amount of ambient light and the temperature of the bed. The process obtains environmental characteristics from an environmental sensor associated with the bed device. If the user is in the bed, the temperature of the bed is low, and the ambient light is low, the process sends a control signal to the bed apparatus. The control signal includes an instruction to heat the bed arrangement to an average night temperature associated with the user. According to another embodiment, the control signal comprises an instruction to heat the bed arrangement to a user-specified temperature. Similarly, if the user is in bed, the temperature of the bed is high and the ambient light is low, the process sends a control signal to the bed device to cool the bed device to an average nighttime temperature associated with the user. According to another embodiment, the control signal comprises instructions to cool the bed arrangement to a user-specified temperature.

In another embodiment, the process obtains a history of the bio-signals associated with the user in addition to obtaining the bio-signals and the environmental characteristics associated with the user. The history of the bio-signals may be stored in a database associated with the bed arrangement or in a database associated with the user. The history of the bio-signal comprises an average bedtime per day of the user's week; that is, the history of the bio-signal includes the average bedtime associated with the user on monday, the average bedtime associated with the user on tuesday, and so on. For a given day of the week, the process determines an average bedtime associated with the user for the day of the week and sends a control signal to the bed device to allow sufficient time for the bed to reach the desired temperature before the average bedtime associated with the user. The control signals contain instructions to heat or cool the bed to a desired temperature. The desired temperature may be determined automatically, such as by averaging a historical night temperature associated with the user, or may be specified by the user.

Fig. 7B is a flow chart of a process for cooling or heating a bed arrangement according to another embodiment. In step 750, processor 230 obtains a bio-signal associated with the user, where the bio-signal includes a respiration rate associated with the user, a heart rate associated with the user, a motion associated with the user, or a temperature associated with the user. In step 755, processor 230 identifies the user based on at least one of: a heart rate associated with the user, a breathing rate associated with the user, a motion associated with the user, or a temperature associated with the user. In step 760, based on the user identification, the processor 230 obtains from the database 180 a normal bio-signal range associated with a sleep stage of the plurality of sleep stages associated with the user, wherein the normal bio-signal range includes a normal temperature range associated with the user. In step 765, processor 230 identifies a sleep stage of the plurality of sleep stages associated with the user based on the normal bio-signal range and the bio-signal. The plurality of sleep stages includes sleep stages including a wake stage, a light sleep stage, a deep sleep stage, or a rapid eye movement sleep stage. In step 770, when the temperature associated with the sleep stage is outside of the normal temperature range associated with the sleep stage, the processor 230 sends a control signal to a temperature control device coupled to the mattress, the control signal including instructions to heat or cool the mattress to a temperature within the normal temperature range.

According to one embodiment, the processor 230 obtains a bio-signal associated with the user from the sensor 210 coupled to the mattress, wherein the sensor 210 measures the bio-signal associated with the user. In another embodiment, processor 230 obtains the bio-signal associated with the user from a wearable device (such as a fitbit bracelet) coupled to the user, which measures the bio-signal of the user. The processor 230 may also store the bio-signals in the database 180.

According to another embodiment, the processor 230 determines the current time. The processor 230 identifies the user based on at least one of: a heart rate associated with the user, a breathing rate associated with the user, a motion associated with the user, or a temperature associated with the user. Based on the user identification, the processor 230 obtains a wake-up time associated with the user. When the current time is at most 3 hours before the wake-up time, the processor 230 sends a control signal to a temperature control device coupled to the mattress, the control signal including a shut-down instruction.

Processor 230 may detect sleep stages by detecting a decrease in heart rate, a decrease in temperature, and a normal breathing rate. Processor 230 may also detect sleep stages by detecting the end of a previous sleep stage. For example, a healthy user typically cycles through the night between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep in sequence. When the REM sleep stage ends, a light sleep stage begins, followed by a deep sleep stage.

According to another embodiment, processor 230 obtains perspiration associated with the user from a perspiration sensor built into sensor 210. When the user perspires, the processor sends a control signal to cool the temperature control device by a fraction of a degree celsius until the user stops sweating. The processor 230 maintains a temperature at which the user does not perspire. The fraction in degrees celsius may be 1/10, 1/5, 1/4, 1/2, 1, etc. According to another embodiment, processor 230 recommends an amount of liquid (such as water or electrolytes) that the user should consume when waking up based on the total amount of perspiration the user has during sleep.

According to another embodiment, processor 230 sends control signals to cool or heat the temperature control device by a fraction of a degree celsius and monitors the sleep quality of the user. For example, the processor 230 monitors whether the user has experienced sleep cycles in sequence, and whether the sleep cycles have persisted for a normal amount of time. Once the user's sleep cycle becomes irregular, or does not last for a normal amount of time, the processor records the last temperature at which the user sleeps very sweet. The last temperature at which the user sleeps very sweet is the limit of the comfortable temperature range associated with the user. The limit may be a high temperature limit, or may be a low temperature limit. The fraction in degrees celsius may be 1/10, 1/5, 1/4, 1/2, 1, etc. The processor 230 stores a comfort temperature range associated with the user, including a high temperature limit and a low temperature limit and heats or cools the bed to a temperature within the comfort temperature range.

Fig. 7C is a flow chart of a process for cooling or heating a bed arrangement according to yet another embodiment. In step 775, the processor 230 obtains a bio-signal associated with the user, wherein the bio-signal includes a respiration rate associated with the user, a heart rate associated with the user, a motion associated with the user, or a temperature associated with the user. In step 780, based on the bio-signal, processor 230 detects when the user has transitioned to sleep. Processor 230 detects sleep transitions by detecting a heart rate slowing, a normal heart rate, a temperature drop, and/or a normal breathing rate. In step 785, when the user has transitioned to sleep, the processor 230 sends a control signal to a temperature control device coupled to the mattress, the control signal containing instructions to cool the mattress to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be an average nighttime temperature associated with the user, the predetermined temperature may be in a range of 27 ℃ to 35 ℃, or the temperature may be user specified. The bio-signal may be measured by the sensor 210 or any other sensing means, such as a wearable sensor, e.g. a fitbit bracelet.

According to another embodiment, the processor 230 obtains the ambient temperature of the user. The environmental sensor 220 may supply the processor 230 with an ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature is outside the range of 35 ℃ to 36 ℃, the processor 230 sends a control signal to a temperature control device coupled to the mattress, the control signal including instructions to adjust the mattress to a temperature within the range of 27 ℃ to 35 ℃, a user-specified temperature, or a user-related temperature. The user-related temperature may be a set point predetermined by using historical data of the user. The user's historical data may contain a plurality of body temperatures of the user over a set period of time (e.g., a period of at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, or more). The user's historical data may contain an average of a plurality of body temperatures of the user over a set period of time.

According to another embodiment, the processor 230 identifies the user based on at least one of: a heart rate associated with the user, a breathing rate associated with the user, a temperature associated with the user, or a motion associated with the user. Based on the user identification, the processor 230 determines an average bedtime associated with the user. The average bedtime may be the same for each day of the week, or may comprise the average monday bedtime, average tuesday bedtime, average wednesday bedtime, average thursday bedtime, average friday bedtime, average saturday bedtime, or average sunday bedtime. At an average bedtime associated with the user, the processor 230 sends a control signal to a temperature control device coupled to the mattress, where the control signal includes one of an instruction to heat the temperature control device to a temperature in a range of 27 ℃ to 35 ℃ or an instruction to cool the temperature control device to a temperature in a range of 37 ℃ to 35 ℃. The temperature may be a user-specified temperature.

Fig. 20 is another example of adjusting the temperature of the bed. In fig. 20, a user who intends to sleep on the mattress 200 may use the computing device 2005 to select a temperature setting 2015 indicating some preference for cooling and/or heating, and view the last night sleep information 2020 to obtain and view information relating to how the user sleeps. For example, the hub 2040 (e.g., a temperature control device or circuit) may be a device that includes a processor 230, the processor 230 receiving various data disclosed herein, such as temperature, bio-signals, and other types of information about the user's sleep, and generating a temperature adjustment 2035 for the mattress 200. This may result in the mattress heating or cooling, thereby improving the sleep experience of the user. The temperature sensor may provide a back temperature 2030 indicative of the current temperature of the mattress 200. As the temperature changes, the temperature 2030 provided to the hub 2040 may change, and if the temperature indicated by the temperature 2030 is too hot (e.g., above a threshold temperature) or too cold (e.g., below a threshold temperature), the hub 2040 may generate a temperature adjustment 2035, which may allow the mattress 200 to change temperature in response to current conditions. Thus, a feedback loop may be implemented in which the temperature of the mattress 200 is adjusted multiple times throughout the night as the user sleeps. As discussed later herein, the temperature adjustment 2035 may include data or signals that may be used to adjust the temperature of the mattress 200, e.g., signals that provide a particular current for generating a voltage across the thermoelectric elements to properly heat or cool the mattress 200.

In some cases, the mattress 200 may include different zones 660 and 610, as previously described. This may allow two different persons (or users) sleeping on the mattress 200 to perform different heating or cooling throughout the user's sleep experience. For example, one person sleeping on zone 660 (e.g., the left side of the bed) may cause zone 660 to be heated, while another person sleeping on zone 610 (e.g., the right side of the bed) may cause zone 610 to be cooled. Thus, different portions of the mattress 200 may be heated and/or cooled differently. In another example, both zone 660 and zone 610 may be heated, but one zone may be heated to a higher temperature than the other zone. Likewise, both zone 660 and zone 610 may be cooled, but one zone may be cooled to a lower temperature than the other zone.

Hub 2040 may manage different sleep experiences for different zones 660 and 610. For example, two different computing devices (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a laptop computer, etc.) may be communicatively coupled with the hub 2040, e.g., via a wireless network such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standard, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc. This may allow different computing devices to receive and provide different sleep information 2025, such as different temperature settings 2015 and different last night sleep information 2020. For example, one computing device may be set or indicated by hub 2040 as the computing device for users sleeping on zone 660. A different computing device may be set or indicated by the hub 2040 as the computing device for the user sleeping on the zone 610. Thus, when data is received from a computing device, it may be determined that the device providing the data and the zone associated with the computing device may operate accordingly (e.g., heat to a particular temperature late in the evening). When data is to be provided to the computing device (e.g., last night's sleep information 2020), the hub 2040 can provide the computing device with information related to the zone associated with the computing device so that different users sleeping on the same mattress 200 will receive different information.

In addition to the coils previously discussed, a variety of heating or cooling mechanisms may also be used with the techniques described herein. For example, forced directional gas (e.g., air) cooling (or heating), liquid (e.g., water) cooling (or heating), thermoelectric cooling (or heating), modifications thereof, or combinations thereof may be used for an article of furniture, such as a mattress or mattress pad of a bed.

With respect to forced directional air cooling, the hub 2040 or the mattress 200 may include a directional fan or blower that can direct air into the mattress 200. For example, one or more channels (e.g., baffles) may be integrated within a layer of the mattress 200 (e.g., below the surface on which a user sleeps) to provide a cavity for pushing air through. In some cases, one or more channels may be a continuous network of channels. The one or more channels may include a hollow portion through the mattress 200 that allows the propagation or flow of a fluid (e.g., a liquid or gas). In some cases, the gas may comprise air. The one or more channels may be concentrated on areas of the mattress 200 where the user sleeps in high temperature areas, for example, a portion of the mattress 200 that will be under the user's back, shoulders, and hips. Other areas, such as areas near the user's legs, may include areas with less or no obstructions, as these areas may not be areas where heating or cooling is equally useful. Thus, different portions of the mattress 200 may have different concentrations of one or more channels to promote air flow, some portions of which may not even have channels. Thus, air may be blown into the inlet of one or more channels integrated in the mattress 200. In some cases, air may be blown into the inlet and outlet of one or more channels, causing the air to circulate through the mattress 200.

In some cases, if cooling is desired, air at a temperature below that indicated by temperature 2030 may be provided (e.g., blown into the inlet of one or more channels of mattress 200). If heating is required, air at a higher temperature than indicated by temperature 2030 may be provided. Accordingly, a temperature adjustment 2035 may be generated by the hub 2040 to adjust a forced directional air cooling mechanism (e.g., fan, air conditioning unit, etc.) to provide a suitable temperature.

With respect to liquid cooling, a liquid (e.g., water) may be pumped into one or more channels (e.g., baffles). The temperature of the water can be adjusted in a manner similar to the air blown into the baffle structure. The liquid may circulate from the outside of the mattress 200, enter one or more channels of the mattress 200, absorb heat, and then be pumped back out of the mattress 200. This may allow the liquid to transfer heat to the outside of the mattress 200 and cool outside the mattress 200. Thus, the liquid may transfer heat away from the mattress 200 and circulate outside the mattress, so that the heat is distributed away from the mattress 200. This may result in cooling (e.g., reducing the temperature) of the mattress 200.

Thermoelectric temperature regulation (e.g., heating and/or cooling) may be achieved using an electrical-based system (e.g., by a thermoelectric engine). The thermoelectric engine may be configured to convert electrical energy into a heat flux (or temperature differential), or to convert a heat flux into electrical energy. The thermoelectric engine may be a solid state device.

In some embodiments, an article of furniture (e.g., a bed) may include a thermoelectric engine in the article of furniture (e.g., a mattress or mattress pad) as a mechanism to regulate the temperature of the article of furniture. Such thermoelectric engines may or may not have moving parts (e.g., fans, pumping parts, etc.) and may be quieter than liquid or air cooling. For example, a thermoelectric engine for adjusting the temperature of the mattress 200 may contain thermoelectric elements integrated on a printed circuit board embedded within the mattress 200 or a covering on the mattress 200. When a current (e.g., a current, such as a flow of electrical charge in amperes) is provided to the thermoelectric element and a voltage is generated across the thermoelectric element, a heat flux may be generated, resulting in a separation of high and low temperatures across the thermoelectric element. That is, heat may be split to one side of the thermoelectric elements of the thermoelectric engine, resulting in one side being hotter than the other side (which is cooler than the hotter side). Thus, heat (or energy) may be distributed away from a user sleeping on the mattress 200. The thermoelectric elements may also be concentrated on areas of the mattress 200 where high temperature regions of the user sleep, such as a portion of the mattress 200 that will be under the user's back, shoulders, and hips, similar to the baffle plates described above. Thus, other areas, such as areas near the user's legs, may include fewer thermoelectric elements, or even no thermoelectric elements, as these areas may not be areas where heating or cooling is equally useful. Thus, different portions of the mattress 200 may have different concentrations of thermoelectric elements to facilitate heat transfer.

In some embodiments, the temperature regulation mechanism of the article of furniture may comprise a combination of thermoelectric temperature regulation and a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas). In such cases, the fluid may flow into and out of one or more channels of the article of furniture, and the thermoelectric temperature regulator may regulate the temperature of the fluid (e.g., water), and thus the temperature of the article of furniture. A fluid at a regulated temperature may flow through one or more channels of an article of furniture (e.g., a bed) to (i) maintain a temperature of a user of the article of furniture, (ii) supply heat to the user of the article of furniture, or (iii) draw heat from (or cool) the user of the article of furniture. The thermoelectric temperature regulator may or may not be part of an article of furniture. The thermoelectric temperature regulator may include a thermoelectric motor for regulating the temperature of the fluid and a reservoir for containing the fluid. The thermoelectric engine may be separate from and in fluid communication with the reservoir. In some cases, the reservoir may regulate the temperature of the fluid. Alternatively, the reservoir may not be configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the reservoir. In such cases, the fluid contained in the reservoir may not be heated or cooled inside the reservoir. In such cases, the fluid is a fluid that is external to the reservoir and flows through or adjacent to the thermoelectric engine (e.g., through one or more channels of the thermoelectric engine, through one or more channels directly adjacent to the thermoelectric engine, etc.), which may be heated or cooled by the thermoelectric engine.

The thermoelectric engine may comprise at least one thermoelectric unit. The thermoelectric engine may comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more thermoelectric units. The thermoelectric engine may comprise up to about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 thermoelectric unit. Each thermoelectric unit may be configured to regulate the temperature of a fluid flowing through or adjacent to each thermoelectric unit.

For each thermoelectric unit, the first direction of current flow through the thermoelectric unit may increase the temperature of one side of the thermoelectric unit, thereby increasing the temperature of a fluid (e.g., water) flowing through or adjacent to one side of the thermoelectric unit. A second direction of current flow through the thermoelectric unit, opposite the first direction, may reduce the temperature of the sides of the thermoelectric unit, thereby reducing the temperature of the fluid flowing through or adjacent to the sides of the thermoelectric unit. In some cases, the first direction may be a positive current and the second direction may be a negative current. In some cases, the first direction may be a negative current and the second direction may be a positive current.

In some cases, the phase change material may also be used to facilitate the transfer of heat between a user and an article of furniture (such as, for example, between a user and the mattress 200). For example, if a thermoelectric motor is implemented (e.g., without or in combination with a fluid) to adjust the temperature of the mattress 200, the phase change material may be used to transfer heat away from the sides of the thermoelectric elements, such that the heat is distributed further away from where the user sleeps (e.g., another area of the mattress 200, such as under the user sleeps, to the side, etc.). That is, the phase change material may be distributed on or within the mattress 200 such that it transfers heat away from the side of the thermoelectric element that is hotter and colder than the other side, away from a person sleeping on the mattress 200.

The phase change material may include an organic material such as, for example, a carbohydrate or a lipid. Examples of organic phase change materials include lauric acid, TME (63%)/H₂O (37%), paraffin 14-carbon, paraffin 15-carbon, paraffin 16-carbon, paraffin 17-carbon, paraffin 18-carbon, paraffin 19-carbon, paraffin 20-carbon, paraffin 21-carbon, paraffin 22-carbon, paraffin 23-carbon, paraffin 24-carbon, paraffin 25-carbon, paraffin 26-carbon, paraffin 27-carbon, paraffin 28-carbon, paraffin 29-carbon, paraffin 30-carbon, paraffin 31-carbon, paraffin 32-carbon, paraffin 33-carbon, paraffin 34-carbon, formic acid, octanoic acid, glycerol, p-lactic acid, methyl palmitate, camphene, Doxolone bromide, octanoyl ketone, phenol, heptadecanone, 1-cyclohexyloctadecane, 4-heptadecanone, p-Joluidine, cyanamide, methyl eicosatrienoate, 3-heptadecanone, 2-heptadecanone, hydrocinnamic acid, cetyl acid, alpha-naphthylamine, camphene, o-nitroaniline, 9-heptadecanone, thymol, methylbehenic acid, diphenylamine, p-phenylacetanilide, succinic anhydride, benzoic acid, styrene, benzamide, acetic acid, polyethylene glycol 600, capric acid, pentadecanoic acid, glycerol tristearate, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, acetamide, methyl fumarate, variants thereof, or combinations thereof. Alternatively or in addition, the phase change material may comprise an inorganic material A material such as, for example, a salt (e.g., a salt hydrate), an inorganic eutectic, or a hygroscopic material. Examples of inorganic phase change materials include water, sodium sulfate (Na)₂SO₄·10H₂O)、NaCl·Na₂SO₄·10H₂O、Mn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O/MnCl₂·4H₂O(4％)、Na₂SiO₃·5H₂O, aluminum, copper, gold, iron, lead, lithium, silver, titanium, zinc, NaNO₃、NaNO₂、NaOH、KNO₃、KOH、NaOH/Na₂CO₃(7.2％)、NaCl(26.8％)/NaOH、NaCl/KCL(32.4％)/LiCl(32.8％)、NaCl(5.7％)/NaNO₃(85.5％)/Na₂SO₄、NaCl/NaNO₃(5.0％)、NaCl(5.0％)/NaNO₃、NaCl(42.5％)/KCl(20.5％)/MgCl₂、KNO₃(10％)/NaNO₃、KNO₃/KCl(4.5％)、KNO₃(ii)/KBr (4.7%)/KCl (7.3%), variants thereof, or combinations thereof. In some cases, the phase change material (e.g., paraffin) may be used for thermal energy storage, and thus, may be used to store heat away from the user's body when the user is sleeping on the mattress 200. The phase change material may be embedded within a memory foam (e.g., polyurethane) material that makes up the mattress 200. In an example, paraffin may be "sprayed" throughout the memory foam such that mattress 200 includes a layer of memory foam impregnated with paraffin as a phase change material. In some cases, a bladder or enclosure (e.g., made of rubber, plastic, etc.) of phase change material (e.g., paraffin) may be integrated within the mattress 200. In an example, the bladder may contain paraffin so that it may be isolated into a particular layer of the mattress 200. This may provide a layer of paraffin as a phase change material within the mattress 200, resulting in greater temperature regulation (e.g., cooling effect) than if the paraffin were embedded throughout the memory foam. In such cases, more heat may be removed from the user.

In some cases, a shell of phase change material (e.g., paraffin) may underlie a layer of memory foam for a user to sleep. For example, the mattress 200 may include a layer of memory foam (e.g., a layer closer to a person sleeping on the mattress 200), and beneath the memory foam may be a layer of thermoelectric elements. Below the layer of thermoelectric elements, an enclosure of a phase change material (e.g., paraffin) may be positioned such that heat separated by the thermoelectric elements may be distributed downward and away from another side of the memory foam (e.g., the layer of memory foam opposite the side closest to the thermoelectric elements on which a user is sleeping). Thus, as described above, the three layers may be positioned adjacent to each other to distribute heat toward or away from a person sleeping on the mattress 200.

In some cases, the phase change material may also be concentrated in a portion of the mattress 200 that is intended to be located under the user's back, shoulders, and hips. Other portions of the mattress 200, such as the area under the user's legs while sleeping, may have a lower concentration of phase change material, or no phase change material.

The computing device 2005 may also be used to provide additional temperature settings. In some cases, a user may wish to produce a heating or cooling effect for a particular period of time. In some cases, a user may wish to set multiple time periods with different temperature set points. In some cases, some users may only wish to change from 10: 00 to 1 in the morning: 00 provide a heating or cooling effect. The time periods may include typical time periods in which the user tends to sleep, and therefore providing a heating or cooling effect only during the time periods may help the user fall asleep, but also prevents the use of the system later throughout the night when the user falls asleep. This helps to reduce the electrical cost of system operation. The hub 2040 may also provide information related to adjusting the temperature of the mattress to the computing device 2005 via a wireless network (e.g., a WLAN network as previously described).

Fig. 21 is another example of a block diagram for adjusting the temperature of an item of furniture (e.g., a bed). In fig. 21, at block 2105, a temperature associated with a bed (e.g., a mattress of the bed) may be determined. For example, in fig. 20, the temperature of the mattress 200 may be determined using one or more sensors (e.g., one or more temperature sensors) in a portion of the mattress 200, integrated within the mattress 200, placed on the mattress 200, integrated within a covering placed on the mattress 200, and the like. One or more such sensors may measure one or more temperatures indicative of the body temperature of the user. In some cases, the temperature may be the temperature of a user sleeping on the mattress 200. In some cases, a user may wear an activity tracker, which may be used as a sensor to determine the user's body temperature, a smart watch, or the like. In some cases, the temperature may be an ambient temperature within a bed set (e.g., mattress 200) or a sheet or comforter adjacent to mattress 200 (e.g., a temperature above mattress 200 but below a sheet where a person is sleeping underneath), which may or may not indicate a body temperature of the user.

At block 2110, it may be determined that the temperature is outside of a threshold range. For example, the hub 2040 in fig. 20 may receive the temperature 2030 from a sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor). The hub 2040 may attempt to regulate the temperature of the mattress 200 to within a particular range. If the temperature 2030 is below the range, this may mean that the person sleeping on the mattress 200 is cold. If the temperature 2030 is above the range, that may mean that the person sleeping on the mattress 200 is hot.

Accordingly, at block 2115, a temperature associated with the mattress may be adjusted. For example, in fig. 20, the hub 2040 may generate a temperature adjustment 2035. The temperature adjustment 2035 can be an analog signal that provides an amount of current to the thermoelectric elements of the mattress 200 such that the thermoelectric elements can be used to distribute heat away from the person sleeping on the mattress 200, as previously described. Alternatively or in addition, the temperature adjustment 2035 may be computer-implemented instructions to instruct the thermoelectric temperature regulator to adjust (i) the temperature of a fluid (e.g., water) flowing between the thermoelectric temperature regulator and one or more channels of the article of furniture (e.g., a bed), and (ii) the flow of such fluid through the one or more channels of the article of furniture, thereby adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture. In some cases, the temperature adjustment 2035 can include digital data (e.g., instructions for a thermoelectric temperature regulator, fan, pump, etc.) to provide heating or cooling of the fluid. In some cases, analog signals as described may also be provided to thermoelectric temperature regulators, fans, pumps, and the like.

Fig. 22 is an example of a block diagram for adjusting the current provided to one or more thermoelectric elements of a thermoelectric regulator to adjust the temperature of an article of furniture (e.g., a bed). In fig. 22, at block 2205, a temperature associated with a bed (e.g., a mattress of the bed) may be determined. For example, in fig. 20, a temperature 2030 provided by one or more sensors (e.g., one or more temperature sensors) may be received by the hub 2040. The temperature 2030 may provide temperature readings from one or more sensors of the mattress 200. At block 2210, it may be determined that the temperature is below a threshold temperature. The threshold temperature may be a predetermined temperature (e.g., a doctor-suggested temperature, an average temperature of the user when using the article of furniture, etc.). The threshold temperature may be a temperature pre-specified by a user. For example, the hub 2040 may determine that the temperature 2030 is below a threshold temperature range, which means that the person sleeping on the mattress 200 is too cold. Accordingly, at block 2115, the current provided to the thermoelectric element may be reduced. For example, the hub 2040 may provide the temperature adjustment 2035 by providing a lower current than it previously provided. This can result in a reduction in the current supplied to the thermoelectric elements, resulting in a lower voltage across these thermoelectric elements. As previously mentioned, this reduces the thermal separation capability of the thermoelectric elements, and thus less heat can be distributed away from a person sleeping on the mattress 200. That is, the temperature difference between both sides of the thermoelectric element can be reduced, thereby reducing the heat distribution. This may allow the temperature to increase within a threshold range so that the person is no longer cold. Such methods may be implemented when the thermoelectric regulator (i) directly regulates the temperature of the article of furniture, or (ii) regulates the temperature of a fluid flowing through one or more channels of the article of furniture, thereby regulating the heat distribution in the article of furniture.

At block 2220, it may be determined that the temperature is above a threshold temperature. For example, if the temperature increases to a high temperature, now above the threshold temperature range, this may indicate that the person sleeping on the mattress 200 is too hot. Accordingly, at block 2225, the current provided to the thermoelectric element may be increased. This results in a higher voltage across the thermoelectric element, thereby improving the thermal separation capability. This causes the temperature difference across the thermoelectric element to increase as heat is concentrated toward one end. Then, as previously described, the phase change material may be used to distribute the concentrated heat away. This allows the temperature to be lowered. Accordingly, a feedback loop may be implemented such that in fig. 20, the hub 2040 continuously or periodically (e.g., every second, minute, ten minutes, every time motion is detected on the mattress 200, every time snoring is heard, etc.) receives and analyzes the temperature 2030 and adjusts the temperature adjustment 2035 to heat or cool the mattress 200 to provide a better sleep experience.

In some cases, one or more thermoelectric elements of one or more thermoelectric engines may be used to cool and heat an article of furniture (e.g., a bed or a mattress of a bed). For example, the mode of operation may be switched from cooling to heating, or from heating to cooling, by changing the direction of current flow of the signal provided to the thermoelectric element.

Heat alarm

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture (e.g., for waking a user of the article of furniture). The system may include a sensor. The sensor may be part of an article of furniture. Alternatively, the sensor may not be part of the article of furniture, but may be operatively coupled to the article of furniture. The sensor may be configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the item of furniture. In some cases, the user may be one of a plurality of users of an item of furniture, and the sensor may be configured to detect each individual bio-signal of the plurality of users. The system may include a temperature control device operatively coupled to the item of furniture, and the temperature control device may be configured to regulate a temperature of the item of furniture. The temperature control device may be thermally coupled to the item of furniture. The temperature control device may be coupled to (e.g., in contact with) the article of furniture. The system may include a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and the temperature control device, and the processor may be configured to specify a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on a bio-signal of the user detected by the sensor while the user is using the item of furniture while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture. The processor may also be configured to regulate (e.g., change) a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time. The processor may be part of an article of furniture. Alternatively, the processor may not be part of the article of furniture and is communicatively and operatively linked to the article of furniture and one or more components of the article of furniture. In some cases, the processor may be configured to specify the time without user input to the processor (e.g., via a physical sensor or a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of a computer system operatively coupled to the processor).

The system may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more sensors. The system may comprise up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 sensors. The individual sensors may be configured to detect bio-signals of at least one user. In an example, a single sensor may be capable of detecting one or more bio-signals of multiple users of an item of furniture. In some cases, multiple sensors may be in operable communication with each other. The system may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more temperature control devices. The system may comprise up to 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 temperature control device. In some cases, multiple temperature control devices may be in operable communication with each other.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user and a history of bio-signal data of the user, and regulate a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time to thereby wake the user of the item of furniture. The history of the user's bio-signal data may contain one or more measurements of the bio-signal of the user while using the item of furniture.

In some cases, the history of the user's bio-signal data may include measurements of the user's bio-signal during the user's current use of the item of furniture (e.g., during the user's current sleep). The history of the biosignal data can comprise data measured from at least about the past 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, or more. The history of the biosignal data can include data measured from up to about the past 12 hours, 11 hours, 10 hours, 9 hours, 8 hours, 7 hours, 6 hours, 5 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours, 1.5 hours, 60 minutes, 50 minutes, 40 minutes, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, or less.

The current usage time of the item of furniture by the user may range from about 0.1 hour to about 16 hours. A user's current use of an item of furniture may be in the range of at least about 0.1 hour. A user's current use of an item of furniture may range up to about 16 hours. The current use of the furniture item by the user may be within the following ranges: about 0.1 hour to about 0.5 hour, about 0.1 hour to about 1 hour, about 0.1 hour to about 2 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 3 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 4 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 6 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 8 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 10 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 12 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 14 hours, about 0.1 hour to about 16 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 1 hour, about 0.5 hour to about 2 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 3 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 4 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 6 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 8 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 10 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 12 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 14 hours, about 0.5 hour to about 16 hours, about 1 hour to about 2 hours, about 1 hour to about 1 hour, about 8 hours, about 1 hour to about 6 hours, about 0.5 hours to about 1 hour, about 8 hours, about 1 hour to about 6 hours, about 1 hour, about 8 hours, about 2 hours, about 1 hour to about 3 hours, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, or more, about 1 hour to about 2 hours, about 3 hours, or more, about 2 hours, or more, or less, or more, or less, About 1 hour to about 10 hours, about 1 hour to about 12 hours, about 1 hour to about 14 hours, about 1 hour to about 16 hours, about 2 hours to about 3 hours, about 2 hours to about 4 hours, about 2 hours to about 6 hours, about 2 hours to about 8 hours, about 2 hours to about 10 hours, about 2 hours to about 12 hours, about 2 hours to about 14 hours, about 2 hours to about 16 hours, about 3 hours to about 4 hours, about 3 hours to about 6 hours, about 3 hours to about 8 hours, about 3 hours to about 10 hours, about 3 hours to about 12 hours, about 3 hours to about 14 hours, about 3 hours to about 16 hours, about 4 hours to about 6 hours, about 4 hours to about 8 hours, about 4 hours to about 10 hours, about 4 hours to about 12 hours, about 4 hours to about 14 hours, about 4 hours to about 16 hours, about 6 hours to about 8 hours, about 4 hours to about 8 hours, about 2 hours to about 8 hours, about 2 hours to about 10 hours, about 3 hours to about 12 hours, about 4 hours to about 14 hours, About 6 hours to about 10 hours, about 6 hours to about 12 hours, about 6 hours to about 14 hours, about 6 hours to about 16 hours, about 8 hours to about 10 hours, about 8 hours to about 12 hours, about 8 hours to about 14 hours, about 8 hours to about 16 hours, about 10 hours to about 12 hours, about 10 hours to about 14 hours, about 10 hours to about 16 hours, about 12 hours to about 14 hours, about 12 hours to about 16 hours, or about 14 hours to about 16 hours. Ranges currently used may be about 0.1 hour, about 0.5 hour, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, about 6 hours, about 8 hours, about 10 hours, about 12 hours, about 14 hours, or about 16 hours.

In some cases, the history of the user's bio-signal data may include measurements of the user's bio-signal during one or more previous uses of the item of furniture (e.g., one or more previous sleepings of the user on the item of furniture). Previous use may comprise at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years or more. Previous use may comprise up to about the past 5 years, 4 years, 3 years, 2 years, 12 months, 11 months, 10 months, 9 months, 8 months, 7 months, 6 months, 5 months, 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, 4 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 7 days, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, or 1 day.

In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 1 year prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 10 months prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 8 months prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 6 months prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 4 months prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 2 months prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 1 month prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 3 weeks prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 2 weeks prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 day to 1 week prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 to 6 days prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 to 5 days prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 to 4 days prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 to 3 days prior to the time. In some cases, one or more prior uses may occur at least about 1 to 2 days prior to the time.

In some cases, the processor may be communicatively coupled to at least one database, wherein the at least one database includes a database associated with an item of furniture or a database associated with a user. In some cases, the processor may be configured to obtain a history (e.g., a current history, a previous history, or both) of the user's bio-signal data from at least one database.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to identify the user from a plurality of users of the item of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to obtain a history of the user's bio-signal data from a plurality of users based at least in part on the user's identity.

In some cases, the user's bio-signals may include cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration. In some cases, the bio-signal of the user may include two or more of: cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and perspiration. In some examples, the bio-signal of the user may include a temperature and at least one of: cardiac signals and respiratory signals. In some cases, the bio-signal of the user may include three or more of: cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and perspiration. In some examples, the user's bio-signals may include temperature, cardiac signals, and respiratory signals.

In some cases, the processor may identify the user from multiple users based on a cardiac signal (e.g., amplitude and/or frequency of the cardiac signal) and/or a respiratory signal (e.g., amplitude and/or frequency of the respiratory signal). In some cases, the processor may use a piezoelectric sensor to detect cardiac signals and/or respiratory signals. The detected cardiac and/or respiratory signals may be compared to a plurality of historical data of cardiac and/or respiratory signals of a plurality of users to identify the user from the plurality of users of the item of furniture. The plurality of historical data of cardiac signals and/or respiratory signals may be stored in one or more databases in operable communication with the processor of the article of furniture. In some cases, the processor may detect and/or confirm the presence of the user based on the temperature of the surface of the item of furniture detected by the sensor. In some cases, the processor may use a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of a surface of the item of furniture. In an example, such data may indicate to one or more users to initiate or end use of the furniture item if the processor detects a sudden change in temperature of the surface of the furniture item.

In some cases, the article of furniture may contain both a piezoelectric sensor and a temperature sensor, where the piezoelectric sensor and the temperature sensor are disposed on opposite sides of a layer of the article of furniture (e.g., on opposite surfaces of a layer of the bed device).

In some cases, the temperature control device can include a temperature-controllable mat and a controller for regulating the temperature of the mat. The controller may or may not be part of the article of furniture. The temperature-controllable mat may be part of an article of furniture. In some cases, the temperature regulated pad may be disposed at a distance away from the temperature sensor such that the temperature sensor does not read the temperature of the temperature regulated pad. In some cases, the temperature regulatable pad may be on or adjacent to a layer comprising the piezoelectric sensor and the temperature sensor, where the temperature sensor and the temperature regulatable pad may be on opposite sides of the layer. In some cases, the temperature sensor and the temperature regulatable pad may be on the same side of the layer, but with sufficient spacing and/or insulation therebetween.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to identify the user from a plurality of users of the item of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time to wake the user based at least in part on the identity of the user, and regulate a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time to wake the user of the item of furniture.

In some cases, at least one sensor of the item of furniture may be configured to detect a first bio-signal and a second bio-signal of the user. The first and second bio-signals of the user may be different types of bio-signals of the user. In some cases, the processor may be configured to (i) determine a presence of a user on the item of furniture based on the first bio-signal, (ii) identify the user from a plurality of users of the item of furniture based on the second bio-signal, and (iii) specify a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on an identity of the user. In some examples, the first bio-signal may be a temperature of the user. In some examples, the second bio-signal may be a cardiac signal of the user. In some examples, the second bio-signal may be a respiratory signal of the user.

In some cases, the at least one sensor of the item of furniture may be configured to detect a first bio-signal of a first user of the item of furniture and a second bio-signal of a second user of the item of furniture. In such cases, the processor may be configured to (i) identify a first user from among the first user and the second user based on the first bio-signal and specify a first time at which the item of furniture wakes up the first user based on an identity of the first user, and (ii) identify a second user from among the first user and the second user based on the second bio-signal and specify a second time at which the item of furniture wakes up the second user based on an identity of the second user. The first and second times may be the same or may be different.

In some cases, the identity of the user may include a circadian rhythm associated with the user. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on a circadian rhythm of the user, and to regulate a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time, thereby waking the user of the item of furniture. The user's circadian rhythm may include patterns in which the user sleeps and/or wakes from one or more time periods (e.g., one or more 24-hour periods or cycles). The one or more time periods can comprise at least about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, or more. The one or more time periods may be up to about 5 months, 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, 4 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 7 days, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, or 1 day. In some cases, each of the one or more time periods may be part of a 24 hour cycle, such as at least 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours of a 24 hour cycle.

In some cases, the user's circadian rhythm may be generated by an article of furniture (e.g., a processor of the article of furniture) by using (i) one or more sensors (e.g., at least one sensor of the article of furniture) to detect one or more bio-signals of the user, and/or (ii) one or more additional sensors (e.g., wearable sensors) associated with the user. In some cases, the wearable sensor may include a smart watch.

In some cases, the identity of the user may contain multiple sleep stages associated with the user. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to identify a sleep stage of the user from a plurality of sleep stages. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on the identified sleep stage of the user, and regulate a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time, thereby waking the user of the item of furniture. In some cases, the user may be at or about to enter a sleep stage that is most suitable for waking up, and the processor may specify a time based at least in part on the identified sleep stage of the user, and regulate a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time. In some cases, the user may be in an undesirable sleep stage, and the processor may specify a time based at least in part on the identified sleep stage of the user, and regulate a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time.

In some cases, the identity of the user may contain activity data of the user. The activity data may comprise exercise patterns and/or food consumption data of the user. Examples of exercise modes may include durations and/or frequencies of walking, running, swimming, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, gymnastics, standing durations, and so forth. Examples of food consumption data may include the type of food consumed by the user (e.g., basic food, prepackaged meals, house dishes, fruits, vegetables, etc.), the amount of food consumed by the user, the frequency with which the user consumes food, and/or the time of day at which the user consumes food. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on the activity data of the user, and regulate the temperature of the item of furniture prior to the time to thereby wake the user of the item of furniture. In some cases, the processor may allow the user to wake up faster or slower than an article of furniture without such processor based on the exercise pattern and/or the user's food consumption data. In an example, the processor may regulate metabolism of the user by delaying the time to regulate the temperature of the item of furniture to wake the user, thereby giving the user more time to metabolize food and its nutrients while sleeping.

In some cases, the identity of the user may contain a predetermined wake-up time of the user. In some cases, the processor may be configured to retrieve a predetermined wake-up time for the user and regulate the temperature of the item of furniture prior to the predetermined wake-up time for the user to thereby wake up the user of the item of furniture. In an example, the user may provide a preferred wake-up time, which may or may not be a particular day of the week. In such cases, the processor may obtain such a preferred wake-up time for the user from the user's identity (e.g., the user's digital profile) and regulate the temperature of the item of furniture to wake-up the user at or about the user's preferred wake-up time.

In some cases, the identity of the user may contain a history of one or more wake-up times of the user when using the item of furniture. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on a history of one or more wake times of the user, and regulate the temperature of the item of furniture prior to the time to wake the user of the item of furniture. An article of furniture (e.g., one or more sensors of the article of furniture) may be capable of detecting movement, presence, and/or absence of a user on the article of furniture. The detected movement, presence, and/or absence of the user on the item of furniture may be used to (i) determine when (e.g., time) the user is awake from sleep, and (ii) generate a history of one or more wake-up times of the user.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on an average wake-up time of the user in a history of one or more wake-up times of the user, and regulate the temperature of the item of furniture prior to the time to wake-up the user of the item of furniture. The processor may obtain a history of one or more wake-up times for the user and generate (e.g., calculate) an average wake-up time for the user. Thus, the processor may regulate the temperature of the item of furniture at a particular time so that the user may wake up at or near the user's average wake-up time.

In some cases, the identity of the user may comprise a predetermined bio-signal level of the user. Examples of predetermined bio-signal levels of the user may include a predetermined cardiac signal level, a predetermined respiratory signal level, a predetermined motion level, a predetermined temperature level, and/or a predetermined perspiration level. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to specify a time based at least in part on a predetermined bio-signal level of the user, and regulate the temperature of the item of furniture prior to the time, thereby waking the user of the item of furniture. In some cases, the processor may specify a time of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more times once a predetermined bio-signal is reached (e.g., detected by one or more sensors of the article of furniture). In some cases, the processor may regulate the temperature of the item of furniture to wake the user when a predetermined bio-signal (e.g., detected by one or more sensors of the item of furniture) is reached at most 5 times, 4 times, 3 times, 2 times, or 1 time. Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to specify a time at which the detected bio-signal of the user is expected (or projected) to reach the predetermined bio-signal at least 1 time, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times or more (or at most 5 times, 4 times, 3 times, 2 times or 1 time). In some cases, the processor may specify a time when the user's current bio-signal is within a range (e.g., a predetermined range) of a predetermined bio-signal level away from the user. Alternatively or in addition, the processor may be configured to specify a time when the current biometric of the user is expected (or predicted) to be within a range of predetermined biometric signal levels away from the user.

In an example, the user may be suspected of having a health condition (e.g., a heart disease), and before, during, and/or after reaching a predetermined heart signal during sleep, it may be beneficial for the user to wake up (or be awakened by an item of furniture). In another example, the user may be suspected of having a cold or flu, and waking up before, during, and/or after reaching a predetermined temperature (e.g., 102 ° F) during sleep may be beneficial to the user. Other examples of the user's health condition may include, but are not limited to, sleep disorders, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder), hematological disorders, cancer, metabolic disorders, ocular disorders, organ disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, heart disease, addiction (e.g., drug addition), and the like.

In some cases, the identity of the user may contain one or more future events of the user. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to regulate the temperature of the item of furniture based at least in part on one or more future events of the user, thereby waking the user of the item of furniture. The one or more future events of the user may include a time and/or a location of the one or more future events. In some cases, one or more future events may occur on the same day that the user sleeps. In some cases, the processor may be operably linked to a digital profile containing a digital calendar of the user or the user. In some cases, the processor may be operatively linked to one or more personal devices (e.g., mobile devices, computers, etc.) of the user to access the user's digital calendar. In some cases, information regarding one or more future events may be provided by a user as input data to a processor of the article of furniture. In some cases, the processor may determine a wake-up time that provides the user with sufficient time to prepare for one or more future events after waking (e.g., showering, clothing, going to an activity, etc.).

In some cases, the identity of the user may include the geographic location of the user when using the item of furniture. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to regulate the temperature of the item of furniture based at least in part on the geographic location of the user, thereby waking the user of the item of furniture. Examples of the user's geographic location may include a continent, country, town, city, longitude, and/or latitude where the user is using the furniture item. The processor of the article of furniture may be in digital communication (e.g., via the internet) with one or more databases to obtain such data relating to the user's geographic location. The processor of the article of furniture may be in digital communication with one or more personal devices of the user to obtain such data relating to the geographic location of the user. In some cases, the geographic location may be provided by the user.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to regulate the temperature of the item of furniture based at least in part on weather conditions (e.g., snow, rain, earthquake, hurricane, etc.) of the geographic location, thereby waking a user of the item of furniture.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to obtain current and/or projected traffic conditions at or near the geographic location. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to regulate a temperature of the item of furniture based at least in part on current and/or projected traffic conditions, thereby waking a user of the item of furniture. In some examples, using the user's geographic location while using the item of furniture, the processor may adjust the user's wake-up time according to the severity or mildness of the morning traffic condition. In an example, if the traffic condition is predicted to be bad from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., the processor may regulate the temperature of the item of furniture to wake up the user before 7 a.m.

In some cases, the processor may include or may be operatively coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) to retrieve data regarding the geographic location of the item of furniture and/or the user of the item of furniture. The processor may be coupled to the GPS via a wireless signal (e.g., Near Field Communication (NFC), bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) or a cable connection USB (e.g., USB2.0, USC-C, micro-USB, etc.). In some cases, the processor may be operably coupled to the user device (e.g., via a wireless signal or cable connection). Examples of user devices may include, but are not limited to, tablet computers, mobile phones, smart watches, smart glasses, and the like. The user device may contain or may be operatively coupled to a GPS, and the processor may retrieve data regarding the item of furniture and/or the user's geographic location through the user device. Further, the processor, GPS and/or user device may be operatively coupled to (1) a Weather database (e.g., National Weather Service, AccuWeather, Underground Weather, Weather outburst, etc.) to retrieve past, current and/or predicted Weather conditions for a geographic location, and/or (2) a Traffic database (e.g., Department of Transportation, Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, Sygic, MapQuest, INRIX, herego, route, Glob, Scout, ETA, etc.) to retrieve past, current and/or predicted ground (e.g., cars, buses, subways, trains, bikes, air Traffic, etc.) and/or scooter transport Traffic conditions at or near a geographic location.

In some cases, the processor may retrieve data regarding one or more future events (or one or more planned events) of the user via the user device (e.g., from a calendar or scheduling application operatively coupled to the user device).

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to determine a wake-up time of the user of the item of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user. In some cases, the processor may be further configured to regulate (e.g., change) the temperature of the item of furniture prior to the determined user wake-up time, thereby waking up the user of the item of furniture at or near the determined user wake-up time.

To wake the user, the processor may begin changing the temperature of the item of furniture at least 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, 40 minutes, 45 minutes, 50 minutes, 55 minutes, 60 minutes, or more prior to the determined wake time of the user. To wake the user, the processor may begin changing the temperature of the item of furniture up to 60 minutes, 55 minutes, 50 minutes, 45 minutes, 40 minutes, 35 minutes, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, or less prior to the determined user wake-up time. In an example, to wake the user, the processor may begin changing the temperature of the item of furniture about 30 minutes before the determined user wake time.

To wake the user, the processor may operate at least about 0.1 ° F/hr, 0.2 ° F/hr, 0.3 ° F/hr, 0.4 ° F/hr, 0.5 ° F/hr, 0.6 ° F/hr, 0.7 ° F/hr, 0.8 ° F/hr, 0.9 ° F/hr, 1 ° F/hr, 2 ° F/hr, 3 ° F/hr, 4 ° F/hr, 5 ° F/hr, 6 ° F/hr, 7 ° F/hr, 8 ° F/hr, 9 ° F/hr, 10 ° F/hr, 11 ° F/hr, 12 ° F/hr, 13 ° F/hr, 14 ° F/hr, 15 ° F/hr, 16 ° F/hr, 17 ° F/hr, 18 ° F/hr, or more, The temperature of the article of furniture is regulated at a rate of 19 ° F/hour, 20 ° F/hour, 25 ° F/hour, 30 ° F/hour, 35 ° F/hour, 40 ° F/hour, or more. To wake the user, the processor may be programmed to operate at up to about 40F/hr, 35F/hr, 30F/hr, 25F/hr, 20F/hr, 19F/hr, 18F/hr, 17F/hr, 16F/hr, 15F/hr, 14F/hr, 13F/hr, 12F/hr, 11F/hr, 10F/hr, 9F/hr, 8F/hr, 7F/hr, 6F/hr, 5F/hr, 4F/hr, 3F/hr, 2F/hr, 1F/hr, 0.9F/hr, 0.8F/hr, 0.7F/hr, a temperature sensor, and a temperature sensor, The temperature of the article of furniture is regulated at a rate of 0.6 ° F/hr, 0.5 ° F/hr, 0.4 ° F/hr, 0.3 ° F/hr, 0.2 ° F/hr, 0.1 ° F/hr, or less. In an example, the processor may regulate the temperature of the item of furniture at a rate of about 10 ° F/hour (or 5 ° F/hour) to wake the user. In some cases, the processor may be configured to determine (e.g., automatically determine) a rate at which the temperature control device regulates (e.g., increases or decreases) the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture. In an example, the different sensors may be configured to measure a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture (e.g., a temperature of a portion of a mattress or mattress pad), and the processor may be configured to determine the rate based at least in part on the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture.

To wake the user, the processor may instruct the temperature control device to change (e.g., increase or decrease) the temperature of the item of furniture by at least about 0.1 ° F, 0.2 ° F, 0.3 ° F, 0.4 ° F, 0.6 ° F, 0.7 ° F, 0.8 ° F, 0.9 ° F, 1 ° F, 2 ° F, 3 ° F, 4 ° F, 5 ° F, 6 ° F, 7 ° F, 8 ° F, 9 ° F, 10 ° F, 11 ° F, 12 ° F, 13 ° F, 14 ° F, 15 ° F, 16 ° F, 17 ° F, 18 ° F, 19 ° F, 20 ° F, 25 ° F, 30 ° F, 35 ° F, 40 ° F, or more. In some cases, to wake the user, the processor may increase and/or decrease the temperature of the item of furniture by up to about 40 ° F, 35 ° F, 30 ° F, 25 ° F, 20 ° F, 19 ° F, 18 ° F, 17 ° F, 16 ° F, 15 ° F, 14 ° F, 13 ° F, 12 ° F, 11 ° F, 10 ° F, 9 ° F, 8 ° F, 7 ° F, 6 ° F, 5 ° F, 4 ° F, 3 ° F, 2 ° F, 1 ° F, 0.9 ° F, 0.8 ° F, 0.7 ° F, 0.6 ° F, 0.5 ° F, 0.4 ° F, 0.3 ° F, 0.2 ° F, 0.1 ° F, or less.

In some embodiments, prior to changing the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture, the processor may be configured to specify a target temperature to which the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture is to be changed. In some cases, the target temperature for waking the user's item of furniture may depend on the user (e.g., the temperature of the user during the current sleep), the environment of the item of furniture, the geographic location and weather conditions around the user and the item of furniture, and so forth.

In some cases, a target temperature at which to wake up the user (e.g., by the processor) may be specified based at least in part on the user temperature detected during the current sleep of the item of furniture. In some examples, the target temperature may be based at least in part on a current temperature of the user. The current temperature may be a temperature of the user measured at a predetermined time, such as at about 6 pm, about 6 pm 30, about 7 pm 30, about 8 pm 30, about 9 pm 30, about 10 pm 30, about 11 pm 30, about 12 am 30, about 1 am 30, about 2 am 30, about 3 am 30, about 4 am 30, about 5 am 30, about 6 am 30, about 7 am 30, about 8 am 30, about 9 am, and the like. Alternatively, the current temperature may be an average or intermediate temperature during the user's current sleep, a maximum user temperature measured during the user's current sleep, or a minimum user temperature measured during the user's current sleep.

In some cases, the difference between the target temperature at which the user is awakened and the current temperature of the user may be at least about 0.1 ° F, 0.2 ° F, 0.3 ° F, 0.4 ° F, 0.5 ° F, 0.6 ° F, 0.7 ° F, 0.8 ° F, 0.9 ° F, 1 ° F, 1.1 ° F, 1.2 ° F, 1.3 ° F, 1.4 ° F, 1.5 ° F, 1.6 ° F, 1.7 ° F, 1.8 ° F, 1.9 ° F, 2 ° F, 2.1 ° F, 2.2 ° F, 2.3 ° F, 2.4 ° F, 2.5 ° F, 2.6 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.3 ° F, 3.4 ° F, 3.6 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 3.9 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.4 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 3.8 ° F, 3.9 ° F, 7 ° F, 4 ° F, 10 ° F, or more. In some cases, the difference between the target temperature at which the user is awakened and the current temperature of the user may be at most about 30 ° F, 25 ° F, 20 ° F, 15 ° F, 10 ° F, 9 ° F, 8 ° F, 7 ° F, 6 ° F, 5 ° F, 4.5 ° F, 4 ° F, 3.9 ° F, 3.8 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 3.6 ° F, 3.5 ° F, 3.4 ° F, 3.3 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.6 ° F, 2.5 ° F, 2.4 ° F, 2.3 ° F, 2.2 ° F, 2.1 ° F, 2 ° F, 1.9 ° F, 1.8 ° F, 1.7 ° F, 1.6 ° F, 1.5 ° F, 1.4 ° F, 1.2 ° F, 1.0.0 ° F, 0.0 ° F, 0.5 ° F, 0.0 ° F, 0 ° F, 0.0 ° F, 0 ° F, or less.

Alternatively or in addition, a target temperature to wake up the user (e.g., by the processor) may be specified based at least in part on a temperature of the user detected during a previous sleep on the item of furniture.

In some cases, a target temperature at which to wake the user may be specified (e.g., by the processor) based at least in part on the temperature of the item of furniture during the user's current sleep. In some examples, the target temperature may be based at least in part on a current temperature of a portion of the item of furniture. The current temperature may be a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture measured at a predetermined time, such as about 6 pm, about 6 pm 30, about 7 pm 30, about 8 pm 30, about 9 pm 30, about 10 pm 30, about 11 pm 30, about 12 am 30, about 1 am 30, about 2 am 30, about 3 am 30, about 4 am 30, about 5 am 30, about 6 am 30, about 7 am 30, about 8 am 30, about 9 am. Alternatively, the current temperature may be an average or median temperature of a portion of the item of furniture during the user's current sleep, a maximum temperature of a portion of the item of furniture measured during the user's current sleep, or a minimum temperature of a portion of the item of furniture measured during the user's current sleep.

In some cases, the difference between the target temperature of the wake-up user and the current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture may be at least about 0.1 ° F, 0.2 ° F, 0.3 ° F, 0.4 ° F, 0.5 ° F, 0.6 ° F, 0.7 ° F, 0.8 ° F, 0.9 ° F, 1 ° F, 1.1 ° F, 1.2 ° F, 1.3 ° F, 1.4 ° F, 1.5 ° F, 1.6 ° F, 1.7 ° F, 1.8 ° F, 1.9 ° F, 2 ° F, 2.1 ° F, 2.2 ° F, 2.3 ° F, 2.4 ° F, 2.5 ° F, 2.6 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.3 ° F, 4 ° F, 3.6 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.5 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 7 ° F, 9 ° F, or more. In some cases, the difference between the target temperature of the wake-up user and the current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture may be at most about 30 ° F, 25 ° F, 20 ° F, 15 ° F, 10 ° F, 9 ° F, 8 ° F, 7 ° F, 6 ° F, 5 ° F, 4.5 ° F, 4 ° F, 3.9 ° F, 3.8 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 3.6 ° F, 3.5 ° F, 3.4 ° F, 3.3 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.6 ° F, 2.5 ° F, 2.4 ° F, 2.3 ° F, 2.2 ° F, 2.1 ° F, 2 ° F, 1.9 ° F, 1.8 ° F, 1.7 ° F, 1.6 ° F, 1.5 ° F, 1.3 ° F, 2.2.2 ° F, 2.1.1 ° F, 0 ° F, 0.0 ° F, 0 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.6 ° F, or less.

Alternatively or in addition, a target temperature to wake the user may be specified (e.g., by the processor) based at least in part on a temperature of at least a portion of the item of furniture detected during a previous sleep of the user on the item of furniture.

In some cases, the processor may use one or more environmental sensors to detect one or more environmental characteristics (e.g., ambient temperature, light, noise, humidity, etc.) surrounding the user, and determine (i) a wake-up time, (ii) a rate of change of temperature to wake-up the user's item of furniture, (iii) a target temperature to wake-up the user's item of furniture, and/or (iv) a duration of time to regulate the temperature of the item of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user and the one or more environmental characteristics of the user.

In some cases, a target temperature at which to wake the user may be specified (e.g., by the processor) based at least in part on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture during the user's current sleep. In some examples, the target temperature may be based at least in part on a current ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture. The current temperature may be an ambient temperature measured at a predetermined time, such as at about 6 pm, about 6 pm 30, about 7 pm 30, about 8 pm 30, about 9 pm 30, about 10 pm 30, about 11 pm 30, about 12 am 30, about 1 am 30, about 2 am 30, about 3 am 30, about 4 am 30, about 5 am 30, about 6 am 30, about 7 am 30, about 8 am 30, about 9 am, and the like. Alternatively, the current ambient temperature may be an average or intermediate temperature of the environment during the user's current sleep, a maximum ambient temperature measured during the user's current sleep, or a minimum ambient temperature measured during the user's current sleep.

In some cases, the difference between the target temperature of the awakened user and the current temperature of the environment surrounding the item of furniture may be at least about 0.1 ° F, 0.2 ° F, 0.3 ° F, 0.4 ° F, 0.5 ° F, 0.6 ° F, 0.7 ° F, 0.8 ° F, 0.9 ° F, 1 ° F, 1.1 ° F, 1.2 ° F, 1.3 ° F, 1.4 ° F, 1.5 ° F, 1.6 ° F, 1.7 ° F, 1.8 ° F, 1.9 ° F, 2 ° F, 2.1 ° F, 2.2 ° F, 2.3 ° F, 2.4 ° F, 2.5 ° F, 2.6 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.3 ° F, 4 ° F, 3.6 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 3.9 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.5 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 7 ° F, 8 ° F, 9 ° F, or more. In some cases, the difference between the target temperature of the awakened user and the current temperature of the environment surrounding the item of furniture may be at most about 30 ° F, 25 ° F, 20 ° F, 15 ° F, 10 ° F, 9 ° F, 8 ° F, 7 ° F, 6 ° F, 5 ° F, 4.5 ° F, 4 ° F, 3.9 ° F, 3.8 ° F, 3.7 ° F, 3.6 ° F, 3.5 ° F, 3.4 ° F, 3.3 ° F, 3.2 ° F, 3.1 ° F, 3 ° F, 2.9 ° F, 2.8 ° F, 2.7 ° F, 2.6 ° F, 2.5 ° F, 2.4 ° F, 2.3 ° F, 2.2 ° F, 2.1 ° F, 2 ° F, 1.9 ° F, 1.8 ° F, 1.7 ° F, 1.6 ° F, 1.5 ° F, 1.3 ° F, 1.2.2 ° F, 1.0 ° F, 0.0 ° F, 0 ° F, 0.0 ° F, 3 ° F, 3.4 ° F, 3 ° F, or less.

Alternatively or in addition, a target temperature to wake the user may be specified (e.g., by the processor) based at least in part on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture detected during a previous sleep of the user on the item of furniture.

In some cases, to wake a user, regulating the temperature of the item of furniture may include increasing and/or decreasing the temperature of the item of furniture. In some cases, temperature conditioning of an article of furniture may simply involve increasing the temperature at one or more rates in order to wake a user. In some cases, to wake a user, temperature conditioning of an article of furniture may simply involve lowering the temperature at one or more rates. In some cases, to wake a user, regulating the temperature of the item of furniture may include a combination of increasing and decreasing the temperature of the item of furniture. In an example, to wake a user, the temperature regulation of the item of furniture may comprise one or more stages of increasing and decreasing (and/or vice versa) the temperature of the item of furniture, with or without intermittent pauses after each stage.

In some cases, the sensor may be a portion of the first portion of the article of furniture configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the first portion of the article of furniture. In some cases, the temperature control device may be coupled to a second portion of the article of furniture configured to regulate a temperature of the second portion of the article of furniture. The first and second portions of the article of furniture may be the same or different. In an example, the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture may be different. In some cases, the processor may be communicatively coupled to the sensor and the temperature control device, and the processor may be configured to regulate the temperature of the second portion of the article of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user on the first portion of the article of furniture, thereby waking the user of the article of furniture. In some cases, the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture may be two opposing sides of a component of the article of furniture (e.g., a top side and a bottom side of a one-level bed device).

In some cases, the temperature control device may be further configured to independently regulate the temperature of each of the plurality of zones of the second portion of the article of furniture. Each of the plurality of zones of the second portion of the article of furniture is sufficient for use by a person (e.g., sleeping on).

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to (i) regulate (e.g., automatically regulate) a first temperature of a first zone of the plurality of zones of the second portion of the article of furniture based at least in part on a first detected bio-signal of a first user on the first zone to thereby wake the first user at a first time, and (ii) regulate (e.g., automatically regulate) a second temperature of a second zone of the plurality of zones of the second portion of the article of furniture based at least in part on a second detected bio-signal of a second user on the second zone to thereby wake the first user at a second time. The first and second times may be the same or may be different. In some cases, the first time and the second time may be different, and waking the first user at an earlier point in time does not interfere with the sleep of the second user.

In some embodiments, a portion of an article of furniture may comprise a plurality of zones. The plurality of zones may comprise at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more zones. The plurality of zones may comprise up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 zones. In some examples, a portion of an article of furniture includes a first zone and a second zone, and the temperature control device may be configured to independently vary the temperature of each of the first zone and the second zone. In such cases, the processor may be configured to independently: (i) when a first user sleeps on a first region of an item of furniture, a first time at which the item of furniture wakes the first user is specified based on a first biometric of the first user detected by at least one sensor, and a temperature of the first region of the item of furniture is changed prior to the first time, and (ii) when a second user sleeps on a second region of the item of furniture, a second time at which the item of furniture wakes the second user is specified based on a second biometric of the second user detected by at least one sensor, and a temperature of the second region of the item of furniture is changed prior to the second time.

In some cases, the subject systems for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture to wake a user of the article of furniture may utilize any of the subject articles of furniture (or any of the subject bed devices) of the present disclosure, for example, as shown in fig. 1-4 and 23-24.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture (e.g., a portion of an article of furniture) to wake a user of the article of furniture. The method may include providing (i) at least one sensor that is part of an article of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the article of furniture, (ii) a temperature control device coupled to a portion of the article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture, and (iii) a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the temperature control device. The method may comprise detecting a bio-signal of a user of the item of furniture with the aid of at least one sensor while the user is using the item of furniture. The method may include, with the aid of the processor, specifying a time for the item of furniture to wake up the user based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture. The method may comprise changing the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time with the aid of the processor.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of a method for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture. The method can include providing (i) at least one sensor that is part of an article of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the article of furniture, (ii) a temperature control device coupled to a portion of the article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change a temperature of the portion of the article of furniture, and (iii) a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the temperature control device (process 2710). The method may include detecting, with the aid of at least one sensor, a bio-signal of a user of the item of furniture while the user is using the item of furniture (process 2720). The method may include, with the aid of the processor, specifying a time for the item of furniture to wake up the user based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture (process 2730). The method may include changing, with the aid of the processor, a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time (process 2740).

FIG. 28 illustrates a further example of a method for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture. The method can include providing (i) a temperature control device operatively coupled to a portion of an item of furniture, the temperature control device configured to change a temperature of the portion of the item of furniture, and (ii) a processor communicatively coupled to the temperature control device (process 2810). The method may include, with the aid of a processor, specifying, by a temperature control device, a time to change a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture based at least in part on a predetermined wake-up time of a user, wherein the time is prior to the predetermined wake-up time of the user (process 2820).

Temperature control device

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the system comprising: at least a portion of an article of furniture configured to retain a fluid; a reservoir in fluid communication with at least a portion of the article of furniture, configured to contain a fluid; a temperature regulator in fluid communication with at least a portion of an article of furniture and the reservoir, the temperature regulator configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid; and a processor operatively coupled to the temperature regulator, the processor programmed to control the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby regulating the temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture.

The article of furniture may comprise a bed or a seat. The bed may comprise a mattress, a mattress pad (i.e., mattress cover), a blanket, functional variations thereof, or combinations thereof. The mattress may be used alone or in combination with a mattress pad. The mattress pad may be used alone or in combination with a mattress. The mattress pad may cover at least a portion of the mattress. Mattresses can be of different shapes (e.g., spherical, cylindrical, box-shaped, etc.). The mattress can have one or more sides (e.g., at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more sides). The mattress pad may be on or adjacent one or more sides of the mattress. In an example, the mattress pad may cover a top side of the mattress. In another example, the mattress pad may cover all sides of the mattress. The seat may be at least a portion (e.g., a portion of an area, one of a plurality of layers, etc.) of a larger item of furniture such as, for example, a chair, love, sofa, couch, stool, bench, or variations thereof.

The temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture may be regulated (e.g., by a fluid in at least a portion of the article of furniture). Regulating the temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture may comprise maintaining the temperature at a predetermined temperature or temperature range, increasing the temperature, and/or decreasing the temperature. The temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture may range between about 10 ℃ to about 50 ℃. The temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture can be at least about 10 ℃, 11 ℃, 12 ℃, 13 ℃, 14 ℃, 15 ℃, 16 ℃, 17 ℃, 18 ℃, 19 ℃, 20 ℃, 21 ℃, 22 ℃, 23 ℃, 24 ℃, 25 ℃, 26 ℃, 27 ℃, 28 ℃, 29 ℃, 30 ℃, 35 ℃, 40 ℃, 45 ℃, 50 ℃ or higher. The temperature of at least a part of the furniture article may be at most about 50 ℃, 45 ℃, 40 ℃, 35 ℃, 30 ℃, 29 ℃, 28 ℃, 27 ℃, 26 ℃, 25 ℃, 24 ℃, 23 ℃, 22 ℃, 21 ℃, 20 ℃, 19 ℃, 18 ℃, 17 ℃, 16 ℃, 15 ℃, 14 ℃, 13 ℃, 12 ℃, 11 ℃, 10 ℃ or less. In some cases, the temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture sensed (felt) by one or more users of the article of furniture may be in a range between about 13 ℃ to about 44 ℃. The temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture can be increased and/or decreased by at least about 0.1 deg.C, 0.2 deg.C, 0.3 deg.C, 0.4 deg.C, 0.5 deg.C, 0.6 deg.C, 0.7 deg.C, 0.8 deg.C, 0.9 deg.C, 1 deg.C, 2 deg.C, 3 deg.C, 4 deg.C, 5 deg.C or more increments. The temperature of at least a portion of the article of furniture can be increased and/or decreased by up to about 5 ℃, 4 ℃, 3 ℃, 2 ℃, 1 ℃, 0.9 ℃, 0.8 ℃, 0.7 ℃, 0.6 ℃, 0.5 ℃, 0.4 ℃, 0.3 ℃, 0.2 ℃, 0.1 ℃ to or less increments.

In some cases, the predetermined temperature range for an article of furniture suitable for an adult may be in a range between about 14 ℃ to about 20 ℃ (e.g., teenagers or elderly people). The predetermined temperature range for an article of furniture suitable for an adult may be at least about 14 ℃, 14.5 ℃, 15 ℃, 15.5 ℃, 16 ℃, 16.5 ℃, 17 ℃, 17.5 ℃, 18 ℃, 18.5 ℃, 19 ℃, 19.5 ℃, 20 ℃ or higher. The predetermined temperature range for an article of furniture suitable for an adult may be up to about 20 ℃, 19.5 ℃, 19 ℃, 18.5 ℃, 18 ℃, 17.5 ℃, 17 ℃, 16.5 ℃, 16 ℃, 15.5 ℃, 15 ℃, 14.5 ℃, 14 ℃ or less. The predetermined temperature range for an article of furniture suitable for an infant (e.g., 0 to 12 months of age) or a young child (e.g., 12 to 36 months of age) may be between about 17 ℃ to about 22 ℃. The predetermined temperature range for an article of furniture suitable for an infant or young child may be at least about 17 ℃, 17.5 ℃, 18 ℃, 18.5 ℃, 19 ℃, 19.5 ℃, 20 ℃, 20.5 ℃, 21 ℃, 21.5 ℃, 22 ℃ or higher. The predetermined temperature range of the article of furniture suitable for infants or young children may be up to about 22 ℃, 21.5 ℃, 21 ℃, 20.5 ℃, 20 ℃, 19.5 ℃, 19 ℃, 18.5 ℃, 18 ℃, 17.5 ℃, 17 ℃ or less. The average value of the predetermined temperature and/or predetermined temperature range of the infant or young child may be equal to, higher than or lower than the average value of the predetermined temperature and/or predetermined temperature range of the adult, respectively.

At least a portion of the article of furniture may be configured to transfer (e.g., add or remove) heat between at least a portion of the article of furniture and a user of a system on or adjacent to at least a portion of the article of furniture. A user may sit, lie and/or sleep on an item of furniture such as, for example, a bed. A user may sit on an item of furniture such as, for example, a chair. The temperature of the body surface or the internal temperature of the user of the article of furniture may be maintained, increased or decreased to a predetermined temperature (or temperature range) by the transferred heat.

At least a portion of the article of furniture may be configured to retain a fluid. Alternatively or in addition, at least a portion of the article of furniture may be configured to permit at least partial flow of fluid through, under, over, or adjacent to at least a portion of the article of furniture. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas. The liquid may comprise an aqueous liquid (e.g., water) or a non-aqueous liquid (e.g., oil). The gas may comprise air or argon. The fluid may be configured to be heated or cooled. The temperature of the fluid may be regulated (e.g., by a temperature regulator). The regulated temperature of the fluid may range between about 10 ℃ to about 50 ℃. The temperature of the fluid may be at least about 10 deg.C, 11 deg.C, 12 deg.C, 13 deg.C, 14 deg.C, 15 deg.C, 16 deg.C, 17 deg.C, 18 deg.C, 19 deg.C, 20 deg.C, 25 deg.C, 30 deg.C, 35 deg.C, 40 deg.C, 45 deg.C, 50 deg.C or higher. The temperature of the fluid may be controlled at a temperature of at most about 50 ℃, 45 ℃, 40 ℃, 35 ℃, 30 ℃, 25 ℃, 20 ℃, 19 ℃, 18 ℃, 17 ℃, 16 ℃, 15 ℃, 14 ℃, 13 ℃, 12 ℃, 11 ℃, 10 ℃ or lower.

The temperature of the fluid can be increased and/or decreased (e.g., by a temperature regulator) by an increment of at least about 0.1 deg.C, 0.2 deg.C, 0.3 deg.C, 0.4 deg.C, 0.5 deg.C, 0.6 deg.C, 0.7 deg.C, 0.8 deg.C, 0.9 deg.C, 1 deg.C, 2 deg.C, 3 deg.C, 4 deg.C, 5 deg.C or more. The temperature of the fluid can be increased and/or decreased by up to about 5 ℃, 4 ℃, 3 ℃, 2 ℃, 1 ℃, 0.9 ℃, 0.8 ℃, 0.7 ℃, 0.6 ℃, 0.5 ℃, 0.4 ℃, 0.3 ℃, 0.2 ℃, 0.1 ℃ or less.

The temperature of the fluid may be increased and/or decreased (e.g., by a temperature regulator) at a rate in a range between about 0.01 deg.C per minute (deg.C/minute) to about 5 deg.C/minute. The temperature of the fluid may be increased and/or decreased at a rate of at least about 0.01 deg.C/minute, 0.02 deg.C/minute, 0.03 deg.C/minute, 0.04 deg.C/minute, 0.05 deg.C/minute, 0.06 deg.C/minute, 0.07 deg.C/minute, 0.08 deg.C/minute, 0.09 deg.C/minute, 0.1 deg.C/minute, 0.2 deg.C/minute, 0.3 deg.C/minute, 0.4 deg.C/minute, 0.5 deg.C/minute, 0.6 deg.C/minute, 0.7 deg.C/minute, 0.8 deg.C/minute, 0.9 deg.C/minute, 1 deg.C/minute, 2 deg.C/minute, 3 deg.C/minute, 4 deg.C/minute, 5 deg.C/minute, or more. The temperature of the fluid may be increased and/or decreased at a rate of up to about 5 ℃/minute, 4 ℃/minute, 3 ℃/minute, 2 ℃/minute, 1 ℃/minute, 0.9 ℃/minute, 0.8 ℃/minute, 0.7 ℃/minute, 0.6 ℃/minute, 0.5 ℃/minute, 0.4 ℃/minute, 0.3 ℃/minute, 0.2 ℃/minute, 0.1 ℃/minute, 0.09 ℃/minute, 0.08 ℃/minute, 0.07 ℃/minute, 0.06 ℃/minute, 0.05 ℃/minute, 0.04 ℃/minute, 0.03 ℃/minute, 0.02 ℃/minute, 0.01 ℃/minute or less.

The fluid may be capable of being maintained at the set temperature for about 0.1 hour to about 10 hours. The fluid may be capable of being maintained at the set temperature for at least about 0.1 hour, 0.2 hour, 0.3 hour, 0.4 hour, 0.5 hour, 0.6 hour, 0.7 hour, 0.8 hour, 0.9 hour, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, or more. The fluid may be capable of being maintained at the set temperature for up to about 10 hours, 9 hours, 8 hours, 7 hours, 6 hours, 5 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours, 1.5 hours, 1 hour, 0.9 hours, 0.8 hours, 0.7 hours, 0.6 hours, 0.5 hours, 0.4 hours, 0.3 hours, 0.2 hours, 0.1 hours, or less.

The temperature of the fluid being maintained and/or flowing through a portion of the article of furniture may be indicative of the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture. The temperature of a portion of the article of furniture may be the same or substantially the same as the temperature of the fluid maintained and/or flowing through a portion of the article of furniture. The temperature of a portion of the article of furniture may equilibrate to maintain and/or flow the temperature of a fluid through a portion of the article of furniture, if initially different, in a range of about 0.1 minutes to about 60 minutes. The temperature of a portion of the article of furniture may be equilibrated to a temperature that maintains and/or flows a fluid through the portion of the article of furniture over at least about 0.1 minute, 0.2 minute, 0.3 minute, 0.4 minute, 0.5 minute, 0.6 minute, 0.7 minute, 0.8 minute, 0.9 minute, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes, or more. The temperature of a portion of the article of furniture may be equilibrated to a temperature that maintains and/or flows a fluid through the portion of the article of furniture in up to about 60 minutes, 50 minutes, 40 minutes, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 9 minutes, 8 minutes, 7 minutes, 6 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 0.9 minutes, 0.8 minutes, 0.7 minutes, 0.6 minutes, 0.5 minutes, 0.4 minutes, 0.3 minutes, 0.2 minutes, 0.1 minutes, or less.

The temperature regulator may not be part of the reservoir. The temperature regulator may not be inside the reservoir, or may be configured not to be in physical contact with the reservoir. The temperature regulator may be configured to regulate the temperature of a fluid that is not contained in the reservoir (e.g., external to the reservoir). The temperature regulator may include at least one channel (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 channels) configured to hold a fluid and/or permit a fluid flow. At least one channel of the temperature regulators may be connected to each other. At least one channel of the temperature regulator may be a thermoelectric motor. Alternatively or in addition, the at least one channel of the temperature generator may be disposed on or adjacent to (e.g., in contact with) the at least one thermal device (e.g., the at least one thermoelectric engine), such that the at least one thermal device adjusts the temperature of the at least one channel of the temperature generator, thereby adjusting the temperature of the fluid in the at least one channel of the temperature generator. In some cases, at least two thermal devices can be disposed on top of each other (e.g., stacked), adjacent to each other (e.g., parallel or perpendicular), or opposite to each other (e.g., on opposite ends of at least one channel of a temperature generator). In some cases, the at least one thermal device may be at least one thermoelectric engine. The temperature regulator may include at least one thermoelectric motor configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid. The temperature regulator may include at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more thermoelectric engines configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid. The temperature regulator may include up to about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 thermoelectric engines configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid. Alternatively or in addition, the temperature regulator may be part of the reservoir.

The system may comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more temperature regulators. The system may contain up to about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 temperature regulator. The plurality of temperature regulators may or may not communicate with each other. In some cases, the temperature regulator may or may not be part of an article of furniture.

The system may comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more reservoirs. The system may comprise up to about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 reservoirs.

The reservoir may be configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid. In an example, the reservoir can include at least one thermal device (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more thermal devices) configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid contained in the reservoir. The at least one thermal device can be internal to the reservoir and/or external to the reservoir (e.g., on or adjacent to an exterior sidewall of the reservoir). Alternatively or in addition, the at least one thermic device may be a portion of at least one sidewall of the reservoir.

The reservoir may not be configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid. In such cases, the fluid may be drawn from the reservoir (e.g., by gravity, by an external force, such as, for example, an external pump), and the temperature of the drawn fluid may be adjusted (e.g., by a temperature generator that is not part of the reservoir). The reservoir may comprise at least one outlet orifice for withdrawing fluid from the reservoir. The at least one outlet orifice may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and another device that controls or allows fluid flow, such as a gate (e.g., a valve) and/or a pump. The reservoir may contain at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more outlet orifices for the fluid to be withdrawn. In some cases, fluid drawn from the reservoir (e.g., through the at least one outlet orifice) may be configured to re-enter the reservoir. In some cases, fluid drawn from the reservoir may not be configured to re-enter the reservoir.

The reservoir may or may not be sealed. In some cases, the reservoir may be sealed so that the fluid contained in the reservoir may be isolated from the ambient air outside the reservoir. Such sealed reservoirs may slow or prevent fluid from escaping from the reservoir (e.g., evaporation of liquid). The reservoir may contain at least one container configured to contain a fluid. The container may or may not be removable from the reservoir. The container may be a vat. The container may or may not have a lid. The lid may or may not be removable from the container. In some cases, the container may be sealed, thereby slowing or preventing the escape of fluid (e.g., evaporation of liquid) from the reservoir.

The reservoir may not leak. The reservoir may be located above or below the level of the item of furniture (e.g. a mattress of a bed). The reservoir may be substantially at the level of the item of furniture.

The reservoir may contain one or more sensors to detect the amount of fluid contained in the reservoir (e.g., contained in a container of the reservoir). The reservoir may contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more such sensors. The reservoir may contain up to 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 such sensor. The sensor may comprise an electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, etc.) sensor. The sensor may be a camera. The sensor may be a water sensor.

The system may also include at least one pump configured to withdraw fluid from the reservoir. The system can comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more pumps. The system may comprise up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 pumps. Such pumps may be configured to operate via one or more energy sources (e.g., manual operation, electrical power, motors, wind power, etc.). Such pumps may include positive displacement pumps, gear pumps, screw pumps, progressive cavity pumps, roots pumps, peristaltic pumps, plunger pumps, compressed air powered double diaphragm pumps, hydraulic pumps, speed pumps, radial flow pumps, axial flow pumps, ejector jet pumps, gravity pumps, steam pumps, valveless pumps, and the like. The at least one pump may be in fluid communication with one or more reservoirs, a container from each of the one or more reservoirs, one or more temperature regulators, and/or one or more portions of an article of furniture. The at least one pump may be configured to direct fluid flow between the at least one pump and the reservoir. The at least one pump may be configured to direct fluid flow from the pump, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump. The at least one pump may be configured to prevent fluid flow from the at least one pump to the reservoir. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one pump may be configured to allow fluid to flow from the at least one pump to the reservoir. The pump may be configured to separate fluid in the temperature regulator from fluid contained in the reservoir. Alternatively or in addition, the pump may be configured to allow fluid in the temperature regulator to flow back into the reservoir. In some cases, the pump may be configured to direct fluid from the pump, through the temperature regulator, through a portion of the article of furniture, and to the pump. Alternatively or in addition, the pump may be configured to direct fluid from the pump, through a portion of the article of furniture, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump.

The processor may be coupled to the at least one pump and programmed to control the at least one pump to withdraw fluid from the reservoir. The processor may be further configured to control the at least one pump to direct fluid flow between the at least one pump and the reservoir. The processor may be further configured to control the at least one pump to direct fluid flow from the at least one pump, through the temperature regulator, and to the at least one pump.

The system may include at least one shutter disposed between the reservoir and the temperature regulator. The system can comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more gates. The system may comprise up to about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 gates. The gate may be configured to control fluid flow between the reservoir and the temperature regulator. The gate may be configured to control fluid flow away from the reservoir and toward the temperature regulator. The gate may be configured to prevent fluid flow away from the temperature regulator and toward the reservoir. Alternatively or in addition, the gate may be configured to allow fluid flow away from the temperature regulator and towards the reservoir. In some cases, a pump may be disposed between the reservoir and the temperature regulator, and a gate may be disposed between the reservoir and the pump. Such a gate may be configured to control fluid flow between the reservoir and the pump. The gate may be configured to control fluid flow away from the reservoir and toward the pump. The gate may be configured to prevent fluid flow away from the pump and toward the reservoir. Alternatively or in addition, the gate may be configured to allow fluid flow away from the pump and towards the reservoir. The gate may be in fluid communication with one or more reservoirs, one or more pumps, one or more temperature regulators, and/or one or more portions of an article of furniture.

The gate may contain at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more apertures (e.g., ports) that allow fluid to flow into and/or out of the gate. The gate may comprise up to about 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 orifices. In some cases, the gate may be a one-way gate, a two-way gate, a three-way gate, or a four-way gate. The gate may be a valve. The valve may be a check valve, flap valve, check valve, back flow valve, hold valve or one-way valve. In some cases, the gate may be a gravity gate (e.g., a gravity valve). The gravity gate may use gravity to draw fluid away from the reservoir (e.g., out of the reservoir) and toward the pump and/or the temperature regulator.

The gate may also contain air purge apertures. The air purge orifice may be coupled to the air purge passage. The air purge orifice and/or the air purge passage may be configured to purge (or remove) air in a gate and/or any other component (e.g., one or more passages) of a system configured to maintain or permit fluid flow. The air purge orifice and/or air purge passage may prevent fluid from leaking from the system. In some cases, the gate may be in fluid communication with (i) an air purge passage, (ii) a passage that allows fluid to flow between the gate and a portion of the item of furniture, (iii) a passage that allows fluid to flow between the gate and the container, and (iv) a passage that allows fluid to flow between the gate and the pump. In some cases, the four channels described above may be vertically coupled to the gate in descending order (e.g., from top to bottom) of (i) the air purge channel, (ii) the gate-furniture item channel, (iii) the gate-reservoir channel, and (iv) the gate-pump channel.

A portion of an article of furniture may contain at least one channel configured to retain a fluid and/or permit a fluid flow. A portion of an article of furniture may contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more channels. A portion of an article of furniture may contain up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 channels. The one or more channels of the furniture article particle portion may comprise a plurality of interconnected channels configured to retain fluid and/or permit fluid flow. The plurality of interconnected passages may be a mesh (or porous) network structure to aid in breathing of the article of furniture. One or more of the channels may be a fluid circulation pad (e.g., a water circulation pad).

A portion of the article may include an inlet port for flowing fluid into a portion of the article (e.g., from a gate, pump, and/or temperature regulator). The inlet port may be in fluid communication with a gate, a pump, and/or a temperature regulator. A portion of the article may contain an outlet port for fluid to flow out of a portion of the article (e.g., to a gate, pump, and/or temperature regulator). The outlet orifice may be in fluid communication with a gate, a pump, and/or a temperature regulator. The inlet and/or outlet ports may contain shutters (e.g., valves) to allow or prevent fluid flow.

The article of furniture may comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more portions. The article of furniture may comprise up to about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 portions. Each of the plurality of portions of the article of furniture may correspond to a zone in which each user sits, rests or sleeps. Each of the multiple portions of the article of furniture may correspond to a different area that contacts or is proximate to a different portion of the user's body (e.g., feet, legs, buttocks, arms, back, neck, head, etc.). The temperature of portions of the article of furniture may be independently or consistently regulated. In an example, different zones of the bed may have different temperatures set (e.g., by the processor) for different users. In another example, different zones of the bed may set (e.g., by the processor) different temperatures for different body parts of the user.

The system may also include additional portions of the article of furniture configured to retain fluid. A portion of an article of furniture and another portion of the article of furniture may be different. Another portion of the article of furniture may be in fluid communication with the temperature regulator. Alternatively, additional portions of the article of furniture may be in fluid communication with additional temperature regulators configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid. The temperature regulator and the further temperature regulator may be different. The temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator may not be in fluid communication with each other. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature regulator and the further temperature regulator may be in fluid communication with each other. An additional temperature regulator may be in fluid communication with the reservoir. The temperature regulator and the further temperature regulator may be in fluid communication with a common (or the same) reservoir.

The processor may be operably coupled to a further temperature regulator. The processor may also be programmed to control an additional temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of an additional portion of the article of furniture. The processor may be further programmed to independently control the temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator to independently regulate the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture and the temperature of the additional portion of the article of furniture. The processor may be further programmed to jointly control the temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator to consistently regulate the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture and the temperature of the additional portion of the article of furniture.

The system may also include a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the fluid. The sensor may be a temperature sensor. The sensor may be in direct or indirect contact with the fluid. The sensor may be part of: a gate (e.g., a valve), a pump, a temperature regulator, a portion of an article of furniture, or one or more channels configured to maintain and/or allow fluid flow (e.g., a water circuit).

The system may also include at least one heat sink configured to absorb heat from its surroundings. The at least one radiator may be disposed on or adjacent to a temperature regulator (e.g., a thermoelectric engine). The system may comprise at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 heat sinks. The system may comprise up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 heat sinks. The one or more heat sinks may be configured to absorb heat from the temperature regulator.

The system may also include at least one fan (e.g., dual fan) configured to regulate the temperature of one or more components of the system. The system may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more fans. The system may contain up to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 fans. The one or more fans may be configured to blow or pull air across the one or more heat sinks to regulate the temperature of the one or more heat sinks. Operation of the one or more fans does not affect the operation of the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid. Operation of the one or more fans may not affect operation of a sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor) configured to detect a characteristic (e.g., temperature) of the fluid.

The system may also include a further portion of the article of furniture including at least one sensor (i) operatively coupled to the processor and (ii) configured to detect a bio-signal of at least one user of the article of furniture. The bio-signal comprises a cardiac signal (e.g. heart rate), a respiratory signal (e.g. respiratory rate), motion, temperature and/or perspiration of at least one user of the item of furniture. The processor may be configured to determine a shape of the cardiac signal based at least in part on the amplitude and/or frequency of the cardiac signal. The processor may be configured to determine a shape of the respiration signal based at least in part on the amplitude and/or frequency of the respiration signal.

One or more channels disclosed herein (e.g., one or more channels configured to at least retain a fluid and/or permit fluid flow) can include a fluid-insoluble (e.g., water-insoluble) material. The one or more channels may comprise a polymeric material, a metallic material, a ceramic material, any functional modification thereof, or any combination thereof. Examples of polymeric materials include polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, ethyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate butyrate, vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, methacrylic acid copolymer, any functional modification thereof, or any combination thereof.

The processor may be further programmed to control the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid based on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user. The processor may control the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid such that the temperature of the fluid (and/or the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture) may be the same as, substantially the same as, lower than, and/or higher than the detected temperature of the at least one user. The processor may also be programmed to (i) identify the at least one user based on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user, and/or (ii) control the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid based on an identity of the at least one user. The identity of the at least one user may comprise age, gender, physical condition, geographic location, a predetermined temperature of a portion of the article of furniture, a predetermined temperature range of a portion of the article of furniture, or a history of bio-signals of the at least one user while using the article of furniture (e.g., a fluid average temperature when the user is sleeping in bed, or a user average temperature when the user is sleeping in bed).

The processor may also be configured to adjust a temperature of the fluid based on the identity of the user, thereby adjusting a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture. The processor can be programmed to determine that a same user has used (e.g., slept at) a portion of an item of furniture for one or more days (e.g., at least about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, or more). On the following day, the processor may be programmed to adjust the temperature of the fluid (e.g., by the temperature generator) prior to a predicted time of use by the same user (e.g., an average time that the user initiated use of the item of furniture on the past day or days). The processor may preheat or pre-cool the fluid, thereby preheating or pre-cooling a portion of the item of furniture. Preheating or precooling a portion of an article of furniture may help balance between the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture and the temperature of a user. Alternatively or in addition, the user may preset a desired temperature and a desired time for the controller to pre-adjust the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture to the desired temperature at the desired time.

The system may include a sensor operatively coupled to the processor and configured to detect a bio-signal of at least one user of the article of furniture. Such sensors may not be part of an article of furniture. The sensor may be a smart watch or a fitness tracker. At least one user may be wearing a sensor. The processor may be further configured to adjust the temperature of the fluid based on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user. In some cases, the bio-signal may be at least a temperature of the one user, and the processor may be further configured to adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) a temperature difference between a temperature of a fluid (e.g., a fluid being held or flowing through a portion of the article of furniture) and a temperature of the at least one user. In some cases, the processor may be further programmed to adjust the temperature of the fluid prior to use of the article of furniture by the at least one user, thereby pre-adjusting the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture prior to use of the article of furniture by the at least one user.

The processor may also be configured to adjust the temperature of the fluid based on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user to regulate the duration of sleep (e.g., sleep longer, or wake up faster) of the at least one user. The processor may also be programmed to adjust the temperature of the fluid based on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user to regulate metabolism of the at least one user (e.g., to help the user burn more fat while sleeping). The processor may also be configured to apply a preset temperature setting (or temperature profile) to the temperature regulator, thereby applying the preset temperature setting to a portion of the article of furniture. The preset temperature setting may be based on a user's biofeedback. The biofeedback may be provided by the user or determined by the processor using a bio-signal and/or identity detected by the user. Examples of biofeedback include pregnancy, menopause, fever, illness, fatigue, cancer, sleep disorders, heart disease, or other physical conditions.

The processor may also be programmed to monitor (i) the at least one user's bio-signal, (ii) a sleep pattern of the at least one user based on the at least one user's bio-signal detected over a period of time, and/or (iii) a temperature setting of a portion of the item of furniture over a period of time. The processor may also be configured to compare the bio-signals, sleep patterns, and/or temperature settings between two or more users. In an example, the processor may compare and identify two or more users having similar or approximately the same sleep patterns, and compare temperature settings (e.g., temperature records of heated and cooled fluid) of a portion of an item of furniture of the two or more users. The processor may also be configured to activate a group of two or more users based on a comparison of the bio-signals, the sleep pattern, and/or the temperature setting. In an example, the processor may activate a group of two or more users with similar biological signals (e.g., similar cardiac signals indicative of a cardiac disease, such as, for example, cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, etc.). Within the created group, the processor may compare the sleep pattern of each user to the temperature settings of a portion of the item of furniture and determine which temperature setting appears to produce the most desirable bio-signal (e.g., a more regular auditory or respiratory signal) and/or sleep pattern (e.g., faster falling asleep, less moving, longer sleeping, less waking). The processor may then be programmed to apply (e.g., automatically apply) the temperature settings of the set of user's furniture items to the temperature settings of the set of another user's furniture items. Alternatively or in addition, the processor may suggest such application of temperature settings of different users to the user (e.g., to improve sleep quality). The processor may utilize a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface, or GUI) on a user personal device (e.g., a mobile phone, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart glasses, etc.) to allow two or more users of the created group to communicate and share information (e.g., voice, text, images, video, etc.). Such a group may act as a support group.

In some cases, the processor may also be configured to connect (i) the user and any data collected and/or created by the processor for the user and (ii) the physician. The doctor may be able to use a user interface on the doctor's personal device to evaluate (i) the at least one user's bio-signal, (ii) at least one user's sleep pattern based on the at least one user's bio-signal detected over a period of time, and/or (iii) a temperature setting of a portion of the item of furniture over a period of time. The processor may utilize GUIs on the user personal device and the doctor personal device to allow the user and the doctor to communicate and share information (e.g., voice, text, images, video, etc.). Such a GUI may reduce the time for a user to consult a physician to discuss the user's bio-signals, sleep patterns, and/or physical condition.

The processor may be capable of employing artificial intelligence (e.g., one or more machine learning algorithms) to analyze a database containing a plurality of bio-signals, sleep patterns, and/or temperature settings of furniture items of a plurality of users. One or more machine learning algorithms of artificial intelligence may be capable of comparing multiple data in a database and creating a set of two or more users based on the comparison.

The processor may be operably coupled to other components and configurations thereof described in the foregoing systems for regulating the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture.

One or more components described in the foregoing systems for regulating the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture may be housed in a temperature regulating tower. In some cases, the temperature regulation tower may comprise one or more reservoirs, one or more valves, one or more temperature regulators, one or more pumps, or a combination thereof. The components of the temperature regulation column may be in fluid communication with each other (directly or indirectly). The temperature conditioning tower may be in fluid communication with an item of furniture, such as, for example, one or more portions of the item of furniture (e.g., at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more portions of the item of furniture). In some cases, the temperature conditioning tower may be in fluid communication with a plurality of furniture items (e.g., at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more beds). In an example, a common temperature regulation tower containing a common reservoir and two or more temperature regulators may be in fluid communication with two or more furniture items to regulate (independently or in concert) the temperature of the two or more furniture items. In another example, a common temperature regulation tower containing a common reservoir and a plurality of temperature regulators may be in fluid communication with a plurality of beds (e.g., a plurality of cribs) to regulate (independently or in unison) the temperature of the plurality of beds. In some cases, the article of furniture may be in fluid communication with one or more temperature conditioning towers.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing a temperature regulator in fluid communication with (i) a portion of an article of furniture capable of holding a fluid and (ii) a reservoir capable of containing a fluid, wherein the temperature regulator is capable of regulating the temperature of the fluid; and (b) controlling, by the computer system, the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby regulating the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture. The methods disclosed herein can utilize all of the components, configurations, and uses described in the foregoing systems to regulate the temperature of an article of furniture.

The method may also include controlling, by the computer system, the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid that is not in the reservoir (or not in the container of the reservoir). The temperature of the fluid in the reservoir may or may not be adjusted.

The computer system may comprise a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having encoded therein computer-executable code adapted to be executed to implement the above-described method of regulating the temperature of an item of furniture.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the system comprising: an article of furniture comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is configured to retain a fluid; a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid, wherein the common temperature controller comprises (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of the article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid; and a processor operatively coupled to the common temperature controller, the processor programmed to control the common temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the fluid to independently regulate a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture. The systems disclosed herein can utilize all of the components, configurations, and uses described in the foregoing systems and methods to regulate the temperature of an article of furniture.

The first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture may be different. In use, the first and second portions of the article of furniture may be used (e.g. occupied) by a common user (or the same user). Alternatively or in addition, in use, the first and second portions of the article of furniture may be used (e.g. occupied) by different users.

The common temperature controller may comprise a reservoir in fluid communication with the first and second channels of the common temperature controller, the reservoir may be configured to contain a fluid. The reservoir may or may not be configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

The common temperature controller may include (i) a first temperature regulator in fluid communication with the first channel and configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid, and/or (ii) a second temperature regulator in fluid communication with the second channel and configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid. The first and second temperature regulators may or may not be part of the reservoir. The first temperature regulator and/or the second temperature regulator may be a thermoelectric engine. The first temperature generator and the second temperature generator may or may not be in fluid communication with each other.

The common temperature controller may include: (i) a first pump in fluid communication with the first channel, the first pump configured to direct fluid flow between the first channel and a first portion of the article of furniture; and/or (ii) a second pump in fluid communication with the second channel, the second pump configured to direct fluid flow between the second channel and the second portion of the article of furniture. The first pump may be in fluid communication with the reservoir, the first temperature regulator, and/or the first portion of the article of furniture (e.g., via at least the first channel of the common temperature controller). The second pump may be in fluid communication with the reservoir, the second temperature regulator, and/or a second portion of the article of furniture (e.g., via at least a second channel of the common temperature regulator). The first and second pumps may or may not be in communication with each other.

The common temperature controller may comprise (i) a first gate disposed between the reservoir and the first temperature regulator, the first gate being configured to prevent fluid flow away from the first temperature regulator and toward the reservoir, and/or (ii) a second gate disposed between the reservoir and the second temperature regulator, the second gate being configured to prevent fluid flow away from the second temperature regulator and toward the reservoir. In some cases, a first gate may be disposed between the reservoir and a first pump disposed between the first gate and the first temperature regulator. In some cases, a second gate may be disposed between the reservoir and a second pump disposed between the second gate and the second temperature generator. The first gate may be in fluid communication with the reservoir, the first pump, the first temperature generator, and/or a first portion of the article of furniture (e.g., at least via a first channel of a common temperature controller). The second gate may be in fluid communication with the reservoir, the second pump, the second temperature generator, and/or a second portion of the article of furniture (e.g., at least via a second channel of the common temperature regulator). The first gate and the second gate may or may not communicate with each other.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid, wherein the common temperature controller comprises (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of an article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture are configured to hold the fluid, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid; and (b) controlling a common temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby independently regulating a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture. The methods disclosed herein can utilize all of the components, configurations, and uses described in the foregoing systems and methods to regulate the temperature of an article of furniture.

Fig. 23A-23H schematically illustrate examples of systems for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture (e.g., a bed, mattress, or mattress pad), the systems including a fluid circuit (e.g., one water circuit). Referring to fig. 23A, the system 2300 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2300 includes a pump 2330, the pump 2330 in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2330 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The system 2300 includes a temperature regulator 2340, the temperature regulator 2340 being in fluid communication with the pump 2330 (and thus in indirect fluid communication with the reservoir 2315 of the reservoir 2310). Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2340 can be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2340 may include a thermoelectric motor. The pump 2330 is configured to (i) withdraw or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310, and (ii) direct the fluid 2320 to flow from the pump 2330 to the temperature regulator 2340. The system 2300 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 being configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. Channel 2360 is in fluid communication with temperature regulator 2340 and pump 2330. Pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 to flow from channel 2360 to temperature regulator 2340. A fluid circuit (e.g., a water circuit) of the system 2300 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from the pump 2330, to a temperature regulator 2340, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, and back to the pump 2330. The pump 2330 is configured to draw a flow of fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the drawn fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. The pump 2330 separates (i) the fluid 2320 contained in the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 from (ii) the fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to the temperature regulator 2340. Temperature regulator 2340 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2300 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2300 may regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture item 2350.

Referring to fig. 23B, the system 2301 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2301 includes a pump 2331, the pump 2331 in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2331 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The system 2301 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 being configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. Channel 2360 is in fluid communication with pump 2331. The pump 2331 is configured to (i) retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310, and (ii) direct the fluid 2320 to flow from the pump 2331 to the channel 2360. System 2301 includes a temperature regulator 2341, the temperature regulator 2341 being in fluid communication with a channel 2360 and a pump 2331. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2341 may be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2341 may include a thermoelectric motor. Pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 to flow from temperature regulator 2341 to channel 2360. The fluid circuit (e.g., water circuit) of the system 2301 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from the pump 2331, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, to a temperature regulator 2341, and back to the pump 2331. The pump 2331 is configured to draw a flow of fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the drawn fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. The pump 2331 separates (i) the fluid 2320 contained in the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 from (ii) the fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to the temperature regulator 2341. Temperature regulator 2341 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2301 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2301 may regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture article 2350.

Referring to fig. 23C, the system 2302 includes a reservoir 2310 that is configured to hold a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2302 comprises a valve 2370, the valve 2370 in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 may be a gravity valve that only allows the fluid 2320 to flow in a direction away from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and toward the valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The system 2302 includes a pump 2330, which pump 2331 is in fluid communication with a valve 2370. The pump 2330 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the valve 2370. The system 2302 includes a temperature regulator 2340, the temperature regulator 2340 being in fluid communication with the pump 2330. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2340 can be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2340 may include a thermoelectric motor. The pump 2330 is configured to (i) withdraw or receive the fluid 2320 from the valve 2370, and (ii) direct the fluid 2320 to flow from the pump 2330 to the temperature regulator 2340. The system 2302 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. Channel 2360 is in fluid communication with temperature regulator 2340 and valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to permit fluid 2320 to flow from the channel 2360 and to the pump 2330. The fluid circuit (e.g., water circuit) of the system 2302 includes the fluid 2320 flowing away from the valve 2370, to the pump 2330, to the temperature regulator 2340, to the channel 2360 of the portion 2355 of the furniture, and back to the valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the received fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. Valve 2370 separates (i) fluid 2320 contained in container 2315 of reservoir 2310 from (ii) fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to temperature regulator 2340. Temperature regulator 2340 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2302 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2302 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user of the furniture item 2350.

Referring to fig. 23D, the system 2303 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2303 includes a valve 2371, which valve 2370 is in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The valve 2371 may be a gravity valve that only allows fluid 2320 to flow in a direction away from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and toward the valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2371 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The system 2303 includes a pump 2331, the pump 2331 in fluid communication with a valve 2371. The pump 2331 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the valve 2371. The system 2303 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. Channel 2360 is in fluid communication with pump 2331. Pump 2331 is configured to (i) withdraw or receive fluid 2320 from valve 2371 and (ii) direct fluid 2320 to flow from pump 2331 to channel 2360. System 2303 includes a temperature regulator 2341, the temperature regulator 2341 being in fluid communication with a passage 2360 and a valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2341 may be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2341 may include a thermoelectric motor. Valve 2371 is configured to permit fluid 2320 to flow from temperature regulator 2341 and to pump 2331. The fluid circuit (e.g., water circuit) of the system 2303 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from a valve 2371, to a pump 2331, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, to a temperature regulator 2341, and back to the valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the received fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. Valve 2371 separates (i) fluid 2320 contained in container 2315 of reservoir 2310 from (ii) fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to temperature regulator 2341. Temperature regulator 2341 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2303 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2303 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture article 2350.

Referring to fig. 23E, the system 2304 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2304 includes a valve 2370, the valve 2370 being in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 may be a gravity valve that only allows the fluid 2320 to flow in a direction away from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and toward the valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. System 2304 includes a temperature regulator 2340, the temperature regulator 2340 being in fluid communication with valve 2370. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to retrieve or receive fluid 2320 from valve 2370. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2340 can be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2340 may include a thermoelectric motor. The system 2304 includes a pump 2330, the pump 2330 in fluid communication with a temperature regulator 2340. The pump 2330 is configured to (i) retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the temperature regulator 2340, and (ii) direct the fluid 2320 from the pump 2330 and toward the furniture item 2350. The system 2304 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. Channel 2360 may be in fluid communication with pump 2330 and valve 2370. Valve 2370 is configured to permit fluid 2320 to flow from passage 2360 and to temperature regulator 2340. A fluid circuit (e.g., a water circuit) of the system 2304 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from a valve 2370, to a temperature regulator 2340, to a pump 2330, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, and back to the valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the received fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. Valve 2370 separates (i) fluid 2320 contained in container 2315 of reservoir 2310 from (ii) fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to temperature regulator 2340. Temperature regulator 2340 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2304 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2304 may regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture article 2350.

Referring to fig. 23F, the system 2305 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2305 includes a valve 2371, the valve 2371 being in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The valve 2371 may be a gravity valve that only allows fluid 2320 to flow in a direction away from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and toward the valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2371 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. System 2305 includes a temperature regulator 2341, the temperature regulator 2340 being in fluid communication with valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to retrieve or receive fluid 2320 from valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2341 may be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2341 may include a thermoelectric motor. The system 2304 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. Channel 2360 may be in fluid communication with temperature regulator 2341. The system 2305 includes a pump 2331, the pump 2331 in fluid communication with a channel 2360. Pump 2331 is configured to (i) withdraw or receive fluid 2320 from channel 2360, and (ii) direct fluid 2320 from pump 2331 and toward valve 2371. Valve 2371 is configured to permit fluid 2320 to flow from pump 2331 and to temperature regulator 2341. A fluid circuit (e.g., a water circuit) of the system 2305 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from a valve 2371, to a temperature regulator 2341, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, to a pump 2331, and back to the valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the received fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. Valve 2371 separates (i) fluid 2320 contained in container 2315 of reservoir 2310 from (ii) fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to temperature regulator 2341. Temperature regulator 2341 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2305 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2305 may regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture article 2350.

Referring to fig. 23G, the system 2306 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2306 includes a valve 2370, the valve 2370 being in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 may be a gravity valve that only allows the fluid 2320 to flow in a direction away from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and toward the valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The system 2306 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. The channel 2360 can be in fluid communication with a valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to permit the fluid 2320 to flow from the container 2315 and to the channel 2360. System 2306 includes a temperature regulator 2340, the temperature regulator 2340 being in fluid communication with channel 2360. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to retrieve or receive fluid 2320 from channel 2360. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2340 can be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2340 may include a thermoelectric motor. The system 2306 includes a pump 2330, the pump 2330 being in fluid communication with a temperature regulator 2340 and a valve 2370. The pump 2330 is configured to (i) retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the temperature regulator 2340, and (ii) direct the fluid 2320 from the pump 2330 and to the valve 2370. A fluid circuit (e.g., a water circuit) of the system 2306 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from a valve 2370, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, to a temperature regulator 2340, to a pump 2330, and back to the valve 2370. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the received fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. Valve 2370 separates (i) fluid 2320 contained in container 2315 of reservoir 2310 from (ii) fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to temperature regulator 2340. Temperature regulator 2340 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2306 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2306 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture article 2350.

Referring to fig. 23H, the system 2307 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2307 includes a valve 2371, which valve 2370 is in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The valve 2371 may be a gravity valve that only allows fluid 2320 to flow in a direction away from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and toward the valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2371 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The system 2307 includes a portion 2355 of a furniture item 2350, the portion 2355 of the furniture item 2350 configured to retain and permit the flow of a fluid 2320. A portion 2355 of the furniture includes a channel 2360 (e.g., an interconnected network of a plurality of channels) that is configured to hold and permit a flow of a fluid 2320. The fluid 2320 may be retained in the channel 2360 and/or flow through the channel 2360 to regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture. The channel 2360 can be in fluid communication with a valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to permit the fluid 2320 to flow from the container 2315 and to the channel 2360. The system 2307 includes a pump 2331, the pump 2331 in fluid communication with a channel 2360. The pump 2331 is configured to (i) withdraw or receive the fluid 2320 from the channel 2360, and (ii) direct the fluid 2320 from the pump 2331 and to the temperature regulator 2341. System 2307 includes a temperature regulator 2341, the temperature regulator 2341 being in fluid communication with a pump 2331 and a valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to retrieve or receive fluid 2320 from pump 2331. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate (e.g., maintain, increase, and/or decrease) the temperature of fluid 2320. Temperature regulator 2341 may be a plurality of temperature regulators (or a plurality of temperature regulating units), wherein each temperature regulator of the plurality of temperature regulators is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in unison or independently of each other. Temperature regulator 2341 may include a thermoelectric motor. A fluid circuit (e.g., a water circuit) of the system 2307 includes a fluid 2320 flowing away from a valve 2371, to a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of the furniture, to a pump 2331, to a temperature regulator 2341, and back to the valve 2371. The valve 2371 is configured to receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310 and add the received fluid 2320 to the fluid circuit. Valve 2371 separates (i) fluid 2320 contained in container 2315 of reservoir 2310 from (ii) fluid 2320 flowing into, through, and/or adjacent to temperature regulator 2341. Temperature regulator 2341 is not part of reservoir 2310. System 2307 also includes one or more sensors 2365 that are configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. The one or more sensors 2365 and a portion 2355 of furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2307 may regulate the temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the at least one user of the furniture article 2350.

At least two fluid circuits (e.g., at least about 2, 3, 4, 5, or more fluid circuits) as shown in fig. 23A-23F or functional modifications thereof may be combined into a common system that contains a common reservoir. A public system may contain a public furniture item (e.g., a bed). The at least two fluid circuits may be in fluid communication with a common item of furniture (e.g., in fluid communication with at least two different portions of a common item of furniture). The at least two fluid circuits may be in fluid communication with a common reservoir. The processor may be configured to control (independently or in concert) the at least two fluid circuits to regulate the temperature of the fluid in each of the at least two fluid circuits to regulate (independently or in concert) the temperature of at least two different portions of the common article of furniture. Alternatively or in addition, the common system may comprise at least two furniture items (e.g. at least two beds). Each of the at least two fluid circuits may be in fluid communication with each of the at least two articles of furniture. The processor may be configured to control (independently or in concert) the at least two fluid circuits to regulate the temperature of the fluid in each of the at least two fluid circuits to regulate (independently or in concert) the temperature of the at least two furniture items. The at least two fluid circuits in fluid communication with the common reservoir may have the same fluid flow direction or different fluid flow directions. Fig. 24 shows an example of such a system comprising a common reservoir and at least two fluid circuits.

Fig. 24A-24F schematically illustrate an example of a system for regulating the temperature of two portions of an article of furniture (e.g., a bed, mattress, or mattress pad), the system including two fluid circuits (e.g., two water circuits). Referring to fig. 24A, the system 2400 includes a reservoir 2310 configured to hold a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2400 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2400. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a pump 2330, (ii) a temperature regulator 2340, and (iii) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350. The pump 2330 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2330 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit to flow from the pump 2330 to the temperature regulator 2340, to the channel 2360 and back to the pump 2330. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24A, the second fluid circuit includes (i) a pump 2331, (ii) a temperature regulator 2341, and (iii) a channel 2361 of a portion 2356 of a furniture item 2350. The pump 2331 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2331 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a second fluid circuit to flow from the pump 2331 to the temperature regulator 2341, to the channel 2361 and back to the pump 2331. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the second fluid circuit. System 2400 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture article 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. System 2400 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23A, the first fluid circuit of system 2400 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2300. As shown in fig. 23A, the second fluid circuit of system 2400 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2300.

Referring to fig. 24B, the system 2401 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2401 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2401. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a pump 2330, (ii) a temperature regulator 2340, and (iii) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350. The pump 2330 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2330 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit to flow from the pump 2330 to a channel 2360, to a temperature regulator 2340 and back to the pump 2330. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24B, the second fluid circuit includes (i) a pump 2331, (ii) a temperature regulator 2341, and (iii) a channel 2361 of a portion 2356 of a furniture item 2350. The pump 2331 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2331 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a second fluid circuit to flow from the pump 2331 to the channel 2361, to the temperature regulator 2341, and back to the pump 2331. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the second fluid circuit. System 2401 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2401 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of the furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23B, the first fluid circuit of system 2401 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2301. As shown in fig. 23B, the second fluid circuit of system 2401 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2301.

Referring to fig. 24C, the system 2402 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2402 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2402. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a pump 2330, (ii) a temperature regulator 2340, and (iii) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350. The pump 2330 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2330 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit to flow from the pump 2330 to the temperature regulator 2340, to the channel 2360 and back to the pump 2330. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24C, the second fluid circuit includes (i) a pump 2331, (ii) a temperature regulator 2341, and (iii) a channel 2361 of a portion 2356 of a furniture item 2350. The pump 2331 is configured to retrieve or receive the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the pump 2331 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a second fluid circuit to flow from the pump 2331 to the channel 2361, to the temperature regulator 2341, and back to the pump 2331. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the second fluid circuit. System 2402 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2402 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of the furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23A, the first fluidic circuit of system 2402 can utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluidic circuit of system 2300. As shown in fig. 23B, the second fluid circuit of system 2402 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2301.

Referring to fig. 24D, the system 2403 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2403 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2403. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2370, (ii) a pump 2330, (iii) a temperature regulator 2340, and (iv) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., via gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit to flow from the valve 2370 to the pump 2330, to the temperature regulator 2340, to the channel 2360, and back to the valve 2370. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24D, the second fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2371, (ii) a pump 2331, (iii) a temperature regulator 2341, and (iv) a channel 2361 of a portion 2356 of furniture item 2350. The valve 2371 is configured to retrieve or receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2371 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2371 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. Pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a second fluid circuit from valve 2371 to pump 2331, to temperature regulator 2341, to channel 2361 and back to valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the second fluid circuit. System 2403 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2403 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of the furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23C, the first fluidic circuit of system 2403 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluidic circuit of system 2302. As shown in fig. 23C, the second fluidic circuit of system 2403 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluidic circuit of system 2302.

Referring to fig. 24E, the system 2404 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2404 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2403. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2370, (ii) a pump 2330, (iii) a temperature regulator 2340, and (iv) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., via gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit from the valve 2370 to the pump 2330, to the channel 2360, to the temperature regulator 2340 and back to the valve 2370. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24E, the second fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2371, (ii) a pump 2331, (iii) a temperature regulator 2341, and (iv) a channel 2361 of a portion 2356 of furniture item 2350. The valve 2371 is configured to retrieve or receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2371 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2371 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. Pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a second fluid circuit from valve 2371 to pump 2331, to channel 2361, to temperature regulator 2341, and back to valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the second fluid circuit. System 2404 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2404 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of the furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23D, the first fluid circuit of system 2404 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2303. As shown in fig. 23D, the second fluid circuit of system 2404 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2303.

Referring to fig. 24F, the system 2405 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2405 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2405. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2370, (ii) a pump 2330, (iii) a temperature regulator 2340, and (iv) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., via gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit to flow from the valve 2370 to the pump 2330, to the temperature regulator 2340, to the channel 2360, and back to the valve 2370. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24F, the second fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2371, (ii) a pump 2331, (iii) a temperature regulator 2341, and (iv) a channel 2361 of a portion 2356 of furniture item 2350. The valve 2371 is configured to retrieve or receive (e.g., by gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2371 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2371 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. Pump 2331 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a second fluid circuit from valve 2371 to pump 2331, to channel 2361, to temperature regulator 2341, and back to valve 2371. Temperature regulator 2341 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the second fluid circuit. System 2405 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2405 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of the furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23C, the first fluidic circuit of system 2405 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluidic circuit of system 2302. As shown in fig. 23D, the second fluid circuit of system 2404 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2303.

Referring to fig. 24G, the system 2406 includes a reservoir 2310, the reservoir 2310 configured to contain a fluid 2320 (e.g., water). The reservoir includes a container 2315 (e.g., a removable or non-removable container) configured to contain a fluid. Neither the reservoir 2310 nor the container 2315 are configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid contained in the container 2315. The system 2406 includes two fluid circuits in fluid communication with a container 2315 of a reservoir 2310. The two fluid circuits may or may not be in fluid communication with each other. The reservoir 2310 serves as a common reservoir for the two fluid circuits of the system 2406. The first fluid circuit includes (i) a valve 2370, (ii) a temperature regulator 2340, (iii) a channel 2360 of a portion 2355 of furniture item 2350, and (iv) a pump 2330. The valve 2370 is configured to receive (e.g., via gravity) the fluid 2320 from the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. The valve 2370 is configured to prevent the fluid 2320 from flowing away from the valve 2370 and back into the container 2315 of the reservoir 2310. Temperature regulator 2340 is configured to regulate the temperature of fluid 2320 in the first fluid circuit. The pump 2330 is configured to direct fluid 2320 in a first fluid circuit from the valve 2370 to the temperature regulator 2340, to the channel 2360, to the pump 2330, and back to the valve 2370. The second loop may contain features that may be the same as the first loop or may be different from the first loop. Referring to fig. 24G, the second fluid circuit includes the same features as the first circuit. System 2406 also includes one or more sensors 2365 configured to detect bio-signals (e.g., cardiac signals, respiratory signals, motion, temperature, and/or perspiration) of at least one user of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365 may be part of furniture item 2350. One or more sensors 2365, a portion 2355 of the furniture, and a portion 2356 of the furniture may be in different portions of the furniture article 2350. The system 2406 can regulate a temperature of a portion 2355 of the furniture and/or a temperature of a portion 2356 of the furniture based at least in part on a detected bio-signal of at least one user (e.g., one or both users) of the furniture item 2350. As shown in fig. 23F, the first fluid circuit of system 2406 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2305. As shown in fig. 23F, the second fluid circuit of system 2406 may utilize all of the components and configurations described in the fluid circuit of system 2305.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a method for regulating a temperature of an article of furniture. The method may include providing a temperature regulator in fluid communication with (i) a portion of the article of furniture capable of holding a fluid and (ii) a reservoir capable of containing the fluid, wherein the temperature regulator is capable of regulating a temperature of the fluid when the reservoir does not contain the fluid (process 2510). The method may include controlling, by a computer system, a temperature regulator to regulate a temperature of a fluid, thereby regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture (process 2520).

Fig. 26 illustrates a further example of a method for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture. The method may include providing a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid, wherein the common temperature controller includes (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of the article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture are configured to hold the fluid, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid (process 2610). The method may include controlling a common temperature controller to regulate a temperature of the fluid to independently regulate a first temperature of a first portion of an article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture (process 2620).

Biological signal processing

Techniques disclosed herein classify a sleep stage associated with a user as light sleep, deep sleep, or REM sleep. Light sleep includes first stage sleep and second stage sleep. The techniques perform the classification based on a respiration rate associated with the user, a heart rate associated with the user, motion associated with the user, and a body temperature associated with the user. Typically, breathing is unstable when the user wakes up. When the user sleeps, the breathing becomes regular. The transition between waking and sleeping is fast and lasts less than 1 minute.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process for recommending bedtime to a user, according to one embodiment. At block 800, the process obtains a history of sleep stage information associated with a user. The history of sleep stage information includes an amount of time a user spent in each of sleep stage, light sleep, deep sleep, or REM sleep. The history of sleep stage information may be stored in a database associated with the user. From the information, the process determines how much light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep the user requires on average daily. In another embodiment, the history of sleep stage information includes an average bedtime associated with the user on each day of the week (e.g., an average bedtime associated with the user on monday, an average bedtime associated with the user on tuesday, etc.). At block 810, the process obtains a user-specified wake-up time, such as an alarm setting associated with the user. At block 820, the process obtains workout information associated with the user, such as the distance the user ran that day, the amount of time the user worked on the gym, or the amount of calories the user consumed that day. According to one embodiment, the process obtains the exercise information from the user's phone, wearable device, Titbit bracelet, or database storing exercise information. Based on all of this information, at block 830, the process recommends bedtime to the user. For example, if the user has not had sufficient deep sleep and REM sleep over the past few days, the process recommends an earlier bedtime to the user. Further, if the user exercises more than the average daily number of exercises, the process recommends an earlier bedtime to the user.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process for activating a user alert, according to one embodiment. At block 900, the process obtains a composite bio-signal associated with a user. The composite bio-signal associated with the user includes a heart rate associated with the user and a respiration rate associated with the user. According to one embodiment, a process obtains a composite bio-signal from a sensor associated with a user. At block 910, the process extracts a heart rate signal from the composite bio-signal. For example, the process extracts a heart rate signal associated with the user by performing low pass filtering on the composite bio-signal. Further, at block 920, the process extracts a respiration rate signal from the composite biosignal. For example, the process extracts the respiration rate by performing band pass filtering on the composite biosignal. The respiration rate signal includes the duration of the breaths, pauses between breaths, and breaths per minute. At block 930, the process obtains a wake-up time for the user, such as an alert setting associated with the user. Based on the heart rate signal and the respiration rate signal, the process determines a sleep stage associated with the user and if the user is in light sleep and the current time is at most one hour earlier than the alert time, then at block 940, the process activates an alert. Waking up a user during deep sleep or REM sleep is detrimental to the user's health, as the user may feel disoriented, unconscious, and suffer from impaired memory. Thus, at block 950, the process activates an alarm when the user is in light sleep and the current time is at most one hour earlier than the user-specified wake-up time.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a process of shutting down an appliance, according to one embodiment. At block 1000, the process obtains a composite bio-signal associated with a user. The composite bio-signal includes a heart rate associated with the user and a respiration rate associated with the user. According to one embodiment, a process obtains a composite bio-signal from a sensor associated with a user. At block 1010, the process extracts a heart rate signal from the composite biosignal by, for example, performing low pass filtering on the composite biosignal. Further, at block 1020, the process extracts a respiration rate signal from the composite biosignal by, for example, performing band pass filtering on the composite biosignal. At block 1030, the process obtains environmental characteristics, including temperature, humidity, light, sound, from environmental sensors associated with the sensor strip. Based on the environmental characteristics and the sleep state associated with the user, at block 1040, the process determines whether the user is sleeping. If the user is sleeping, the process turns off the appliance at block 1050. For example, if the user is asleep and the ambient temperature is higher than the average nighttime temperature, the process will turn off the thermostat. Further, if the user is asleep and the light is on, the process turns off the light. Similarly, if the user is asleep and the television is on, the process turns off the television.

Smart home

Fig. 11 is a diagram of a system capable of automatically controlling a home appliance according to an embodiment. Any number of user sensors 1140, 1150 monitor bio-signals associated with the user, such as temperature, motion, presence, heart rate, or respiration rate. Any number of environmental sensors 1160, 1170 monitor environmental characteristics such as temperature, sound, light, or humidity. According to one embodiment, environmental sensors 1160, 1170 are placed beside the bed. User sensors 1140, 1150 and environmental sensors 1160, 1170 pass their measurements to processor 1100. Processor 1100 determines based on the current bio-signals associated with the user, the historical bio-signals associated with the user, the user-specified preferences, the exercise data associated with the user and the received environmental characteristics, the control signals, and the time at which the control signals are sent to appliances 1120, 1130.

The processor 1100 is any type of microcontroller, or any processor in a mobile, fixed, or portable terminal, including a mobile device, a station, a unit, a device, a multimedia computer, a multimedia tablet, an internet node, a cloud computer, a communicator, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a netbook computer, a tablet computer, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a personal navigation device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), an audio/video player, a digital camera/camcorder, a positioning device, a television receiver, a radio broadcast receiver, an electronic book device, a gaming device, accessories and peripherals for these devices, or any combination thereof.

The processor 1100 may be connected to user sensors 1140, 1150 or environmental sensors 1160, 1170 via a computer bus, such as an I2C bus. Further, the processor 1100 may be connected to user sensors 1140, 1150 or environmental sensors 1160, 1170 via a communication network 1110. By way of example, the communication network 1110 connecting the processor 1100 to the user sensors 1140, 1150 or the environmental sensors 1160, 1170 includes one or more networks, such as a data network, a wireless network, a telephone network, or any combination thereof. The data network may be any Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), a public data network such as the internet, a short-range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. Further, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network, and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and/or any other suitable wireless communication system, Internet Protocol (IP) datacasting, satellite, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), etc., or any combination thereof.

Fig. 12 is a diagram of a system capable of controlling appliances and homes according to one embodiment. The appliances that the system disclosed herein can control include alarms, coffee machines, locks, thermostats, bed units, humidifiers, or lights. For example, the system detects that the user has fallen asleep, the system sends a control signal to the light to turn off, a control signal to the lock to engage, and a control signal to the thermostat to reduce the temperature. According to another example, if the system detects that the user has woken up and is the morning, the system sends a control signal to the coffee machine to initiate making coffee.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a process for controlling an appliance, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, at block 1300, the process obtains a history of the bio-signals, such as when the user went to bed and slept at a particular day of the week (e.g., the average bedtime monday associated with the user, the average bedtime tuesday associated with the user, etc.). The history of the bio-signals may be stored in a database associated with the user or in a database associated with the bed arrangement. In another embodiment, at block 1300, the process also obtains user-specified preferences, such as the temperature of a preferred bed associated with the user. Based on the history of the bio-signals and the user-specified preferences, at block 1320, the process determines a control signal and a time to send the control signal to the appliance. At block 1330, the process determines whether to send a control signal to the appliance. For example, if the current time is within half an hour of the average bedtime associated with the user on a particular day of the week, the process sends a control signal to the appliance at block 1340. For example, the control signal contains an instruction to open the bed apparatus and a user-specified temperature of the bed. Alternatively, the temperature of the bed is determined automatically, such as by estimating an average night bed temperature associated with the user.

According to another embodiment, at block 1300, the process obtains a current bio-signal associated with the user from a sensor associated with the user. At block 1310, the process also obtains environmental data, such as ambient light, from an environmental sensor associated with the bed device. Based on the current bio-signal, the process identifies whether the user is asleep. If the user is asleep and the lights are on, the process sends an instruction to turn off the lights. In another embodiment, if the user is asleep, the lights are off, and the ambient light is high, the process sends an instruction to the blinds to turn off. In another embodiment, if the user is asleep, the process sends an instruction to the lock to engage.

In another embodiment, at block 1300, the process obtains a history of the bio-signals, such as when the user went to bed and slept at a particular day of the week (e.g., the average bedtime monday associated with the user, the average bedtime tuesday associated with the user, etc.). The history of the bio-signals may be stored in a database associated with the bed arrangement or in a database associated with the user. Alternatively, the user may specify bedtime for each day of the week. Further, the process obtains workout data associated with the user, such as the number of hours the user spent a workout, or a heart rate associated with the user during the workout. According to one embodiment, the process obtains exercise data from the user's phone, wearable device, Fitbit bracelet, or a database associated with the user. Based on the average bedtime for the day of the week and the workout data for the day, the process determines an expected bedtime associated with the user at the night at block 1320. The process then sends instructions to the bed device to heat to the desired temperature before the expected bedtime. The desired temperature may be specified by the user or may be automatically determined based on an average nighttime temperature associated with the user.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a process for controlling an appliance according to another embodiment. At block 1400, the process receives a current bio-signal associated with a user, such as a heart rate, a respiration rate, presence, motion, or temperature associated with the user. At block 1410, based on the current bio-signal, the process identifies a current sleep stage, such as light sleep, deep sleep, or REM sleep. At block 1420, the process also receives a current environmental characteristic value, such as temperature, humidity, light, or sound. At block 1430, the process accesses a database that stores historical values associated with environmental characteristics and the current sleep stage. That is, the database associates each sleep stage with an average historical value for a different environmental characteristic. The database may be associated with the bed device, may be associated with the user, or may be associated with a remote server. At block 1440, the process then calculates a new average value for the environmental characteristic based on the current value of the environmental characteristic and the historical values of the environmental characteristic and assigns the new average value to the current sleep stage in the database. If there is no match between the current value of the environmental characteristic and the historical average, the process manipulates the current value to match the historical average at block 1450. For example, the environmental characteristic may be a temperature associated with the bed device. The database stores an average bed temperature corresponding to each of sleep stage, light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep. If the current bed temperature is below the historical average, the process sends a control signal to increase the bed temperature to match the historical average.

Monitoring of biological signals

A bio-signal associated with the person, such as a heart rate or a breathing rate, is indicative of the health status of the person. Changes in the biological signal may indicate an immediate onset of disease, or a long-term trend that increases the risk of disease associated with the person. Monitoring such altered biological signals can predict the onset of disease, can seek assistance when the disease is immediately onset, or can provide advice to a person when the person is exposed to a higher risk of disease for a long period of time.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a system for monitoring a bio-signal associated with a user and providing a notification or alert, according to one embodiment. Any number of user sensors 1530, 1540 monitor bio-signals associated with the user, such as temperature, motion, presence, heart rate, or respiration rate. The user sensors 1530, 1540 communicate their measurements to the processor 1500. The processor 1500 determines whether to send a notification or an alert to the user device 1520 based on a biometric signal associated with the user, a historical biometric signal associated with the user, or a user-specified preference. In some embodiments, the user device 1520 and the processor 1500 may be the same device.

The user devices 1520 are any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile apparatus, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet computer, internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, Personal Communication System (PCS) device, personal navigation device, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device, accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof.

The processor 1500 is any type of microcontroller, or any processor in a mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal, including a mobile device, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, internet node, cloud computer, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, Personal Communication System (PCS) device, personal navigation device, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, gaming device, accessories and peripherals, or any combination thereof.

The processor 1500 may be connected to the user sensors 1530, 1540 through a computer bus, such as an I2C bus. Further, the processor 1500 may be connected to user sensors 1530, 1540 through a communications network 1510. By way of example, the communication network 1510 that connects the processor 1500 to the user sensors 1530, 1540 includes one or more networks, such as a data network, a wireless network, a telephone network, or any combination thereof. The data network may be any Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), a public data network such as the internet, a short-range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. Further, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network, and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), (C WCDMA), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN),Internet Protocol (IP) datacasting, satellite, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), etc., or any combination thereof.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process for generating a notification based on a history of bio-signals associated with a user, according to one embodiment. At block 1600, the process obtains a history of bio-signals associated with the user, such as a presence history, motion history, respiration rate history, or heart rate history. The history of the bio-signals may be stored in a database associated with the user. At block 1610, the process determines whether there is an irregularity in the history of the bio-signal over a time frame. If there is an irregularity, at block 1620, the process generates a notification to the user. The time range may be specified by a user, or may be automatically determined according to the type of irregularity. For example, when a user is ill, the heart rate associated with the user rises over the time of day. According to one embodiment, the process detects an irregularity, in particular a higher than normal daily heart rate associated with the user. Thus, the process alerts the user that the user may be ill. According to another embodiment, the process detects irregularities such as an elderly user spending at least 10% more time in bed per day than the historical average over the past few days. The process generates a notification to the elderly user or a caregiver of the elderly user, such as how much time the elderly user spent in bed. In another embodiment, the process detects irregularities, such as resting heart rate increases by more than 15 beats per minute over a decade period. Such an increase in the resting heart rate doubles the likelihood that the user will die from a heart attack, as compared to those whose heart rate remains stable. Thus, the process alerts the user that the user is at risk of having a heart disease.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a process for generating a comparison between a bio-signal associated with a user and a target bio-signal, according to one embodiment. At block 1700, the process obtains a current bio-signal associated with the user, such as presence, motion, respiration rate, temperature, or heart rate associated with the user. The process obtains a current bio-signal from a sensor associated with a user. The process then obtains a target bio-signal, such as a user-specified bio-signal, a bio-signal associated with a healthy user, or a bio-signal associated with an athlete at block 1710. According to one embodiment, the process obtains the target bio-signal from a user or a database storing bio-signals. At block 1720, the process compares the current bio-signal associated with the user to the target bio-signal and generates a notification 1730 based on the comparison. The comparison of the current bio-signal associated with the user and the target bio-signal comprises detecting a higher frequency in the current bio-signal than in the target bio-signal, detecting a lower frequency in the current bio-signal than in the target bio-signal, detecting a higher amplitude in the current bio-signal than in the target bio-signal, or detecting a lower amplitude in the current bio-signal than in the target bio-signal.

According to one embodiment, the process of fig. 17 may be used to detect whether an infant is at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome ("SIDS"). In SIDS victims less than a month old, the heart rate is higher than in healthy infants of the same age in all sleep stages. Patients with SIDS over one month old show higher heart rates during REM sleep stages. In the case of monitoring SIDS risk of an infant, the process obtains a current bio-signal associated with the sleeping infant, and a target bio-signal associated with the heart rate of a healthy infant, where the heart rate is at the high end of the healthy heart rate spectrum. The process obtains a current bio-signal from a sensor strip associated with a sleeping infant. The process obtains a target bio-signal from a bio-signal database. If the baby's bio-signal frequency exceeds the target bio-signal, the process will notify the baby's caregiver that the baby is at a higher risk of developing SIDS.

According to another embodiment, the process of FIG. 17 may be used for fitness training. The normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest means more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular health. For example, a normal resting heart rate for a trained athlete may approach 40 beats per minute. Thus, the user may specify a target resting heart rate of 40 times per minute. Process fig. 17 generates a comparison 1720 between the actual and target bio-signals associated with the user, and based on the comparison, the process generates a notification 1730 of whether the user has reached his target or whether the user needs more exercise.

Fig. 18 is a flow diagram of a process for detecting a seizure according to one embodiment. At block 1800, the process obtains a current bio-signal associated with the user, such as presence, motion, temperature, respiration rate, or heart rate associated with the user. The process obtains a current bio-signal from a sensor associated with a user. Further, at block 1810, the process obtains a history of bio-signals associated with the user from a database. The history of bio-signals includes bio-signals associated with the user that accumulate over time. The history of the bio-signals may be stored in a database associated with the user. At block 1820, the process then detects a difference between the current bio-signal and the history of bio-signals, wherein the difference indicates the onset of disease. At block 1830, the process then generates an alert to the caregiver of the user. The difference between the current bio-signal and the history of bio-signals comprises a higher frequency in the current bio-signal than in the history of bio-signals, or a lower frequency in the current bio-signal than in the history of bio-signals.

According to one embodiment, the process of fig. 18 may be used to detect seizures of a seizure. A normal heart rate for a healthy person is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. During an epileptic seizure, the average heart rate associated with this person exceeds 100 beats per minute. The process of fig. 18 detects that the heart rate associated with the user exceeds the normal heart rate range associated with the user. The process then alerts the caregiver of the user of the seizure. Although rare, seizures can cause the average heart rate associated with a person to drop below 40 beats per minute. Similarly, the process of fig. 18 detects whether the current heart rate is below a normal heart rate range associated with the user. The process then alerts the caregiver of the user of the seizure.

Fig. 19 is an illustration of a machine in the example form of a computer system 1900 within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methods or modules discussed herein, may be executed.

In the example of fig. 19, computer system 1900 includes a processor, memory, non-volatile storage, and an interface device. Various general purpose components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for simplicity of illustration. Computer system 1900 is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the components described in the examples of fig. 1-18 (and any other components described in this specification) may be implemented. Computer system 1900 may be of any suitable known or convenient type. The components of computer system 1900 may be coupled together via a bus or via some other known or convenient means.

The present disclosure contemplates computer system 1900 taking any suitable physical form. By way of example, and not limitation, computer system 1900 may be an embedded computer system, a system on a chip (SOC), a single board computer System (SBC) (e.g., a computer on module or a System On Module (SOM)), a desktop computer system, a laptop or notebook computer system, an interactive kiosk, a mainframe, a grid of computer systems, a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a server, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, computer system 1900 may include one or more computer systems 1900; are singular or distributed; spanning a plurality of locations; across multiple machines; or reside in a cloud, which may include one or more cloud components in one or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more computer systems 1900 may perform without substantial spatial or temporal limitation one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. By way of example, and not limitation, one or more computer systems 1900 may perform in real-time or in batch mode one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. Where appropriate, one or more computer systems 1900 may perform at different times or at different locations one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein.

The processor may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium (Intel Pentium) microprocessor or a Motorola personal computer (Motorola power PC) microprocessor. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the terms "machine-readable (storage) medium" or "computer-readable (storage) medium" include any type of apparatus that is accessible by a processor.

The memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. By way of example, and not limitation, memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (dram) and static RAM (sram). The memory may be local, remote, or distributed.

The bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and the drive unit. Non-volatile memory is typically a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a Read Only Memory (ROM) (such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM), a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. During execution of software in computer 1900, some of the data is typically written to memory by a direct memory access process. The non-volatile memory may be local, remote, or distributed. Non-volatile memory is optional because the system can be created with all applicable data available in memory. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor.

The software is typically stored in a non-volatile memory and/or in a drive unit. In fact, it may not even be possible to store the entire large program in memory. However, it should be understood that for software execution, it is moved to a computer readable location suitable for processing, if necessary, and for purposes of illustration, the location is referred to herein as memory. Even if software is moved into memory for execution, processors typically utilize hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and ideally local caches for accelerated execution. As used herein, when a software program is referred to as being "embodied in a computer-readable medium", the software program is presumed to be stored in any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers). A processor is said to be "configured to execute a program" when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor.

The bus also couples the processor to a network interface device. The interface may include one or more of a modem or a network interface. It is to be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of computer system 1900. The interface may include an analog modem, an isdn modem, a cable modem, a token ring interface, a satellite transmission interface (e.g., "direct PC"), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface may include one or more input devices and/or output devices. By way of example, and not limitation, I/0 devices may include a keyboard, mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, scanners and other input devices and/or output devices, including display devices. By way of example, and not limitation, the display device may include a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or some other suitable known or convenient display device. For simplicity, it is assumed that the controller of any device not depicted in the example of fig. 9 resides in the interface.

In operation, computer system 1900 may be controlled by operating system software, including a file management system, such as a disk operating system. One example of operating system software with associated file management system software is Microsoft corporation, Inc. of Redmond, WashingtonAnd its associated file management system. Another example of operating system software and its associated file management system software is Linux^TMAn operating system and its associated file management system. The file management system is typically stored in non-volatile memory and/or a drive unit and causes the processor to execute what is required by the operating systemVarious actions to input and output data and store the data in memory, including storing files on non-volatile memory and/or a drive unit.

Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or "generating" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to configure a more specialized apparatus to perform the method of some embodiments. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. Moreover, these techniques are not described with reference to any particular programming language, and thus various embodiments may be implemented using a variety of programming languages.

In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a client-to-server network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a Personal Computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, a blackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "machine-readable storage medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The terms "machine-readable medium" and "machine-readable storage medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or modules of the presently disclosed technology and innovation.

In general, the programs executed to implement embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as an operating system or as part of a specific application, component, program, object, module, or sequence of instructions referred to as a "computer program". The computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions that are disposed at various times in various memory and storage devices of the computer, and when read and executed by one or more processing units or processors in the computer, cause the computer to perform operations to perform elements relating to various aspects of the present disclosure.

Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machine or computer readable media used to actually carry out the distribution.

Other examples of machine-readable, or computer-readable (storage) media include, but are not limited to, recordable-type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read Only Memories (CDROMS), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission-type media such as digital and analog communication links.

In some cases, the operation of the memory device (such as a state change from binary 1 to binary 0, or vice versa) may involve a transformation (such as a physical transformation). For a particular type of storage device, such physical transformations may include physical transformation of an item into a different state or thing. For example, but not limiting of, for some types of memory devices, the change in state may involve the accumulation and storage of charge, or the release of stored charge. Also, in other memory devices, a change in state may involve a physical change or transition in magnetic orientation, or a physical change or transition in molecular structure, such as from crystalline to amorphous, or vice versa. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all test pages in which a state change of binary 1 to binary 0 or vice versa in a memory device may involve a transformation such as a physical transformation. Rather, the foregoing is intended as an illustrative example.

The storage medium may typically be non-transitory or contain non-transitory means. In this case, the non-transitory storage medium may comprise a tangible device, meaning that the device has a particular physical form, although the device may change its physical state. Thus, for example, non-transitory means that the device is tangible despite such a change in state.

In many embodiments disclosed herein, the technology can allow multiple different users to use the same piece of furniture equipped with the presently disclosed technology. For example, different people may sleep on the same bed. Furthermore, two different users can switch which side of the bed they sleep on, and the techniques disclosed herein will correctly identify which user sleeps on which side of the bed. The techniques identify a user based on any of the following signals, alone or in combination: heart rate, respiration rate, physical movement, or body temperature associated with each user.

The METHODS AND systems of the present disclosure may be combined with OR modified by other METHODS AND systems FOR detecting a BIOLOGICAL signal OR condition of a user (e.g., a sleep disorder), adjusting a temperature OR configuration of a BED (e.g., a mattress of a BED OR a mattress pad), adjusting a BIOLOGICAL signal OR condition of a user (e.g., a sleep disorder), adjusting an operation of a household appliance, AND the like, such as, FOR example, U.S. patent publication No. 2015/0351556 ("BED DEVICE SYSTEM AND METHODS"), U.S. patent publication No. 2016/0128488 ("APPARATUS AND method FOR HEATING OR COOLING a BED BASED ON a HUMAN BIOLOGICAL signal"), U.S. patent publication No. 2017/0135882 ("ADJUSTABLE BED frame AND operation method FOR HEALTH MONITORING"), and U.S. patent publication No. 2017/0135632 ("DETECTING SLEEPING dis ers"), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Heat alarm

Embodiment 1. a system for changing the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the system comprising: at least one sensor that is part of an article of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the article of furniture; a temperature control device coupled to a portion of an article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture; and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensors and the temperature control device, wherein the processor is configured to (i) specify a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on a user's bio-signal detected by the at least one sensor while the user is using the item of furniture while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture, and (ii) change a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time.

Embodiment 2. the system of embodiment 1, wherein the processor is configured to change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture at least 10 minutes before the time.

Embodiment 3. the system of embodiment 1, wherein the processor is configured to change the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture at least 30 minutes before the time.

Embodiment 4. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein in (ii), the rate of temperature change of the portion of the item of furniture is at most 30 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 5. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein in (ii), the rate of temperature change of the portion of the item of furniture is at most 10 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 6. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein prior to (ii), the processor is further configured to specify a target temperature to which the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture is to be changed.

Embodiment 7. the system of embodiment 6, wherein the target temperature is specified based on a current temperature of the user.

Embodiment 8. the system of embodiment 7, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the user is at least 1.5 ° F.

Embodiment 9. the system of embodiment 7, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the user is at least 3 ° F.

Embodiment 10 the system of embodiment 6, wherein the target temperature is specified based on a current temperature of a portion of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 11. the system of embodiment 10, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture is at least 1.5 ° F.

Embodiment 12. the system of embodiment 10, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture is at least 3 ° F.

Embodiment 13 the system of embodiment 6, wherein the target temperature is specified based on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture.

Embodiment 14 the system of any of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on circadian data of the user.

Embodiment 15 the system of any of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the processor is further configured to specify a time based on the sleep phase data of the user.

Embodiment 16 the system of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein the processor is further configured to specify a time based on the health condition of the user.

Embodiment 17 the system of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein the processor is further configured to specify a time based on a scheduled event of the user.

Embodiment 18 the system of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on a geographic location of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 19 the system of embodiment 18, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the time based on traffic conditions near the geographic location.

Embodiment 20 the system of embodiment 18, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the time based on weather conditions near the geographic location.

Embodiment 21 the system of any of embodiments 1-13, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the time based on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture.

Embodiment 22 the system of any of embodiments 1-21, wherein the altering comprises increasing a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 23. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein the modifying comprises reducing the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 24. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein the article of furniture is a bed.

Embodiment 25 the system of any of embodiments 1-24, wherein the biological signal of the user comprises a cardiac signal of the user.

Embodiment 26 the system of any of embodiments 1-24, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a respiratory signal of the user.

Embodiment 27. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a perspiration signal of the user.

Embodiment 28 the system of any of embodiments 1-24, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a temperature of the user.

Embodiment 29 the system of any of embodiments 1-24, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a motion of the user.

Embodiment 30. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises two or more members selected from the group consisting of: a cardiac signal of the user, a respiratory signal of the user, a perspiration signal of the user, a temperature of the user, and a motion of the user.

Embodiment 31 the system of any of embodiments 1-30, wherein a portion of the article of furniture comprises a plurality of zones, and wherein the temperature control device is configured to selectively vary the temperature of each of the plurality of zones.

Embodiment 32 the system of embodiment 31, wherein the processor is configured to selectively vary the temperature of each of the plurality of zones prior to the time.

Embodiment 33 the system of any of embodiments 1-32, wherein the processor is configured to (i) automatically specify a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on the user's bio-signal detected by the at least one sensor while the item of furniture is being used by the user, and (ii) automatically change the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time.

Embodiment 34 the system of any of embodiments 1-32, wherein the processor is further configured to specify the time based on a bio-signal of the user and a history of bio-signal data of the user, wherein the history of bio-signal data comprises a plurality of measurements of the bio-signal of the user while using the item of furniture.

Embodiment 35 the system of embodiment 34, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to at least one database, wherein the at least one database comprises a database associated with an item of furniture or a database associated with a user, and wherein the processor is further configured to obtain a history of the bio-signal data of the user from the at least one database.

Embodiment 36. the system of embodiment 34, wherein the history of the user's bio-signal data comprises a measure of the user's bio-signal during the user's current use of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 37. the system of embodiment 36, wherein the range currently in use is about 1 to 12 hours before the time.

Embodiment 38. the system of embodiment 36, wherein the range currently in use is about 1 to 8 hours before the time.

Embodiment 39 the system of embodiment 36, wherein the range currently in use is about 1 to 6 hours before the time.

Embodiment 40. the system of embodiment 34, wherein the history of the user's bio-signal data comprises a measure of the user's bio-signal during one or more previous uses of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 41. the system of embodiment 40, wherein the one or more previous uses occur at least about 1 day to 1 year prior to the time.

Embodiment 42. the system of embodiment 40, wherein the one or more prior uses occur at least about 1 day to 1 month from the time ago.

Embodiment 43 the system of embodiment 40, wherein the one or more prior uses occur at least about 1 day to 1 week from the time ago.

Embodiment 44. the system of embodiment 34, wherein the processor is further configured to (i) identify a user of the item of furniture from a plurality of users of the item of furniture based on the bio-signal of the user, and (ii) obtain a history of bio-signal data of the user based at least in part on the identity of the user.

Embodiment 45 the system of any of embodiments 1-44, wherein the processor is further configured to (i) identify the user of the item of furniture from the plurality of users of the item of furniture based on the bio-signal of the user, and (ii) assign a time based on an identity of the user.

Embodiment 46. the system of embodiment 45, wherein the identity of the user comprises one or more user data selected from the group consisting of: circadian data associated with the user, sleep phase data associated with the user, activity data associated with the user, a predetermined wake-up time of the user, a history of wake-up times of the user, a historical average wake-up time of the user, a predetermined bio-signal level or range of the user, one or more future events of the user, and a geographic location of the user.

Embodiment 47 the system of any of embodiments 1-46, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one piezoelectric sensor.

Embodiment 48 the system of embodiment 47, wherein the at least one piezoelectric sensor is configured to measure cardiac and/or respiratory signals of the user while the user is using the article of furniture.

Embodiment 49 the system of any of embodiments 1-46, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one temperature sensor.

Embodiment 50. the system of embodiment 49, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the user while the user is using the item of furniture.

Embodiment 51. the system of any of embodiments 1 to 50, wherein a portion of the article of furniture comprises a first zone and a second zone, wherein the temperature control device is configured to independently vary the temperature of each of the first zone and the second zone.

Embodiment 52. the system of embodiment 51, wherein the processor is configured to independently: (i) when a first user sleeps on a first region of an item of furniture, a first time at which the item of furniture wakes the first user is specified based on a first biometric of the first user detected by at least one sensor, and a temperature of the first region of the item of furniture is changed prior to the first time, and (ii) when a second user sleeps on a second region of the item of furniture, a second time at which the item of furniture wakes the second user is specified based on a second biometric of the second user detected by at least one sensor, and a temperature of the second region of the item of furniture is changed prior to the second time.

Embodiment 53. a method for regulating the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing (i) at least one sensor as part of an article of furniture, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a bio-signal of a user of the article of furniture, (ii) a temperature control device coupled to the part of the article of furniture, wherein the temperature control device is configured to change a temperature of the part of the article of furniture, and (iii) a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the temperature control device; (b) detecting, with the aid of the at least one sensor, a bio-signal of a user of the item of furniture when the user is using the item of furniture; (c) designating, with the aid of a processor, a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user while the user is sleeping on the item of furniture based at least in part on the detected bio-signal of the user; and (d) changing the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device prior to the time with the aid of the processor.

Embodiment 54. the method of embodiment 53, further comprising changing the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture at least 10 minutes before the time with the aid of the processor and the temperature control device.

Embodiment 55. the method of embodiment 53, further comprising changing the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture at least 30 minutes prior to the time with the aid of the processor and the temperature control device.

Embodiment 56. the method of any of embodiments 53-55, wherein the rate of temperature change of a portion of the article of furniture is at most 30 ° F/hour.

Embodiment 57 the method of any of embodiments 53-55, wherein a portion of the article of furniture has a rate of temperature change of at most 10 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 58. the method according to any of embodiments 53 to 57, further comprising specifying, with the aid of the processor, a target temperature to which the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture is to be changed.

Embodiment 59. the method of embodiment 58, wherein the target temperature is specified based on a current temperature of the user.

Embodiment 60 the method of embodiment 59, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the user is at least 1.5 ° F.

Embodiment 61 the method of embodiment 59, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the user is at least 3 ° F.

Embodiment 62. the method of embodiment 58, wherein the target temperature is specified based on a current temperature of a portion of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 63. the method of embodiment 62, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture is at least 1.5 ° F.

Embodiment 64. the method of embodiment 62, wherein the difference between the target temperature and the current temperature of the portion of the item of furniture is at least 3 ° F.

Embodiment 65. the method of embodiment 58, wherein the target temperature is specified based on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture.

Embodiment 66. the method according to any of embodiments 53 to 65, further comprising specifying a time based on the circadian data of the user with the aid of a processor.

Embodiment 67. the method according to any of embodiments 53 to 65, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, assigning a time based on sleep phase data of the user.

Embodiment 68. the method of any of embodiments 53 to 65, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, assigning a time based on the health of the user.

Embodiment 69 the method of any of embodiments 53 to 65, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, specifying a time based on a scheduled event of the user.

Embodiment 70. the method of any of embodiments 53 to 65, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, assigning a time based on the geographic location of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 71 the method of embodiment 70, further comprising determining, with the aid of the processor, a time based on traffic conditions in the vicinity of the geographic location.

Embodiment 72 the method of embodiment 70, further comprising determining, with the aid of the processor, a time based on weather conditions in the vicinity of the geographic location.

Embodiment 73. the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 65, further comprising determining, with the aid of the processor, the time based on an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the item of furniture.

Embodiment 74. the method of any of embodiments 53 to 73, wherein changing comprises increasing the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 75. the method of any of embodiments 53 to 73, wherein the changing comprises lowering the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 76 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 75, wherein the article of furniture is a bed.

Embodiment 77 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 76, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a cardiac signal of the user.

Embodiment 78 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 76, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a respiratory signal of the user.

Embodiment 79 the method of any of embodiments 53 to 76, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a perspiration signal of the user.

Embodiment 80 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 76, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a temperature of the user.

Embodiment 81 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 76, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises a motion of the user.

Embodiment 82 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 76, wherein the bio-signal of the user comprises two or more members selected from the group consisting of: a cardiac signal of the user, a respiratory signal of the user, a perspiration signal of the user, a temperature of the user, and a motion of the user.

Embodiment 83. the method of any of embodiments 53-82, wherein a portion of the article of furniture comprises a plurality of zones, and wherein the temperature control device is configured to selectively vary the temperature of each of the plurality of zones.

Embodiment 84. the method of embodiment 83, further comprising selectively varying the temperature of each of the plurality of zones prior to the time with the aid of a processor.

Embodiment 85. the method of any of embodiments 53 to 84, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, (i) automatically specifying a time at which the item of furniture wakes up the user based on the user's bio-signal detected by the at least one sensor while the user is using the item of furniture, and (ii) automatically changing, by the temperature control device, the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture prior to the time.

Embodiment 86. the method of any of embodiments 53 to 84, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, assigning a time based on the user's bio-signal and a history of the user's bio-signal data, wherein the history of bio-signal data comprises a plurality of measurements of the user's bio-signal while using the item of furniture.

Embodiment 87. the method of embodiment 86, wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to at least one database, wherein the at least one database comprises a database associated with an item of furniture or a database associated with a user, the method further comprising obtaining, with the aid of the processor, a history of bio-signal data of the user from the at least one database.

Embodiment 88. the method of embodiment 86, wherein the history of the user's bio-signal data comprises a measure of the user's bio-signal during the user's current use of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 89 the method of embodiment 88, wherein the range currently used is about 1 to 12 hours before the time.

Embodiment 90. the method of embodiment 88, wherein the range currently used is about 1 to 8 hours before the time.

Embodiment 91. the method of embodiment 88, wherein the range currently used is about 1 to 6 hours before the time.

Embodiment 92. the method of embodiment 86, wherein the history of the user's bio-signal data comprises a measure of the user's bio-signal during one or more previous uses of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 93 the method of embodiment 92, wherein the one or more prior uses occur at least about 1 day to 1 year prior to the time.

Embodiment 94 the method of embodiment 92, wherein the one or more prior uses occur at least about 1 day to 1 month from the time ago.

Embodiment 95. the method of embodiment 92, wherein the one or more prior uses occur from at least about 1 day to 1 week prior to the time.

Embodiment 96. the method of embodiment 86, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, (i) identifying a user of the item of furniture from a plurality of users of the item of furniture based on the user's bio-signal, and (ii) obtaining a history of the user's bio-signal data based at least in part on the user's identity.

Embodiment 97 the method of any of embodiments 53 to 96, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, (i) identifying a user of the item of furniture from a plurality of users of the item of furniture based on the bio-signal of the user, and (ii) assigning a time based on the identity of the user.

Embodiment 98. the method of embodiment 97, wherein the identity of the user comprises one or more user data selected from the group consisting of: circadian data associated with the user, sleep phase data associated with the user, activity data associated with the user, a predetermined wake-up time of the user, a history of wake-up times of the user, a historical average wake-up time of the user, a predetermined bio-signal level or range of the user, one or more future events of the user, and a geographic location of the user.

Embodiment 99 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 98, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one piezoelectric sensor.

Embodiment 100. the method of embodiment 99, wherein the at least one piezoelectric sensor is configured to measure cardiac and/or respiratory signals of the user while the user is using the article of furniture.

Embodiment 101 the method of any one of embodiments 53 to 98, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one temperature sensor.

Embodiment 102. the method of embodiment 101, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the user while the user is using the item of furniture.

Embodiment 103. the method of any of embodiments 53-102, wherein a portion of the article of furniture comprises a first zone and a second zone, wherein the temperature control device is configured to independently vary the temperature of each of the first zone and the second zone.

Embodiment 104. the method of embodiment 103, further comprising, with the aid of the processor, independently: (i) when a first user sleeps on a first region of an item of furniture, a first time at which the item of furniture wakes the first user is specified based on a first biometric of the first user detected by at least one sensor, and a temperature of the first region of the item of furniture is changed prior to the first time, and (ii) when a second user sleeps on a second region of the item of furniture, a second time at which the item of furniture wakes the second user is specified based on a second biometric of the second user detected by at least one sensor, and a temperature of the second region of the item of furniture is changed prior to the second time.

Embodiment 105. a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine-executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any one of embodiments 53 to 104.

Embodiment 106. a system comprising one or more computer processors and computer memory coupled thereto. The computer memory contains machine executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any of embodiments 53 to 104.

Embodiment 107. a system for regulating a temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the system comprising: a temperature control device operatively coupled to a portion of an article of furniture configured to change a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture; and a processor communicatively coupled to the temperature control device, the processor configured to specify a time at which the temperature control device changes the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture based at least in part on a predetermined wake-up time of the user, wherein the time is prior to the predetermined wake-up time of the user.

Embodiment 108. the system of embodiment 107, wherein the processor is configured to designate a time when the user sleeps on the item of furniture.

Embodiment 109 the system of embodiment 107, wherein the time is at least a period of time before a predetermined wake-up time.

Embodiment 110 the system of embodiment 109, wherein the time period is greater than 1 minute.

Embodiment 111 the system of embodiment 110, wherein the time period is greater than 10 minutes.

Embodiment 112 the system of embodiment 111, wherein the time period is greater than 30 minutes.

Embodiment 113 the system of embodiment 112, wherein the time period is greater than 60 minutes.

Embodiment 114. the system of any of embodiments 107 to 113, further comprising a sensor operably coupled to the article of furniture, the sensor configured to detect a signal associated with (i) a user of the article of furniture, or (ii) the article of furniture.

Embodiment 115 the system of embodiment 114, wherein the processor is further configured to specify a time to change the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device based at least in part on the predetermined wake-up time and the signal.

Embodiment 116 the system of embodiment 114, wherein the signal comprises a biological signal of the user.

Embodiment 117. the system of embodiment 114, wherein the signal comprises an environmental signal of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 118 the system of embodiment 114, wherein the sensor is part of an article of furniture communicatively coupled to the processor.

Embodiment 119. the system of embodiment 114, wherein the sensor is an environmental sensor communicatively coupled to the processor.

Embodiment 120 the system of any of embodiments 107-119, wherein the time is specified by the processor such that a rate of change of temperature of a portion of the item of furniture controlled by the temperature control device is at most 30 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 121 the system of any of embodiments 107-119, wherein the time is specified by the processor such that a rate of change of temperature of a portion of the item of furniture controlled by the temperature control device is at most 10 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 122 the system of any of embodiments 107-121, wherein the modifying comprises increasing a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by a temperature control device.

Embodiment 123 the system of any of embodiments 107-121, wherein the modifying comprises reducing a temperature of a portion of the item of furniture by a temperature control device.

Embodiment 124. a method for regulating the temperature of a portion of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing (i) a temperature control device operatively coupled to a portion of an article of furniture, the temperature control device configured to change a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture, and (ii) a processor communicatively coupled to the temperature control device; and (b) with the aid of the processor, designating, by the temperature control device, a time to change the temperature of a portion of the item of furniture based at least in part on a predetermined wake-up time of the user, wherein the time is prior to the predetermined wake-up time of the user.

Embodiment 125 the method of embodiment 124, further comprising, in (b), designating a time while the user sleeps on the item of furniture.

Embodiment 126 the method of embodiment 124, wherein the time is at least a period of time before a predetermined wake-up time.

Embodiment 127 the method of embodiment 126, wherein the period of time is greater than 1 minute.

Embodiment 128 the method of embodiment 127, wherein the period of time is greater than 10 minutes.

Embodiment 129 the method of embodiment 128, wherein the period of time is greater than 30 minutes.

Embodiment 130 the method of embodiment 129, wherein the period of time is greater than 60 minutes.

Embodiment 131 the method of any of embodiments 124-130, further comprising, in (a), providing a sensor operably coupled to the article of furniture, the sensor configured to detect a signal associated with (i) a user of the article of furniture or (ii) the article of furniture.

Embodiment 132 the method of embodiment 131, further comprising, in (b), designating, by the temperature control device, a time to change the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture based at least in part on the predetermined wake-up time and the signal.

Embodiment 133 the method of embodiment 131, wherein the signal comprises a biological signal of the user.

Embodiment 134 the method of embodiment 131, wherein the signal comprises an environmental signal of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 135 the method of embodiment 131, wherein the sensor is part of an article of furniture communicatively coupled to the processor.

Embodiment 136 the method of embodiment 131, wherein the sensor is an environmental sensor communicatively coupled to the processor.

Embodiment 137 the method of any of embodiments 124-136, further comprising, in (b), specifying a time such that a rate of change of the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device is at most 30 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 138 the method of any of embodiments 124-136, further comprising, in (b), specifying a time such that the rate of change of the temperature of the portion of the item of furniture by the temperature control device is at most 10 ° F/hr.

Embodiment 139. the method of any of embodiments 124 to 138, wherein changing comprises increasing the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture by the temperature control device.

Embodiment 140 the method of any one of embodiments 124-138, wherein the varying comprises reducing the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture by a temperature control device.

Embodiment 141. a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine-executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any one of embodiments 124 to 140.

Embodiment 142. a system comprising one or more computer processors and computer memory coupled thereto. The computer memory contains machine executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any of embodiments 124 to 140.

Temperature control device

Embodiment 143. a system for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture, the system comprising: a portion of an article of furniture configured to retain a fluid; a reservoir in fluid communication with a portion of the article of furniture, wherein the reservoir is configured to contain a fluid; a temperature regulator in fluid communication with a portion of an article of furniture and the reservoir, wherein the temperature regulator is configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid when the fluid is not contained in the container; and a processor operatively coupled to the temperature regulator, wherein the processor is programmed to control the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 144 the system of embodiment 143, wherein the article of furniture comprises a bed or a seat.

Embodiment 145. the system of embodiment 144, wherein the bed comprises a mattress, a mattress pad, a blanket, a functional variation thereof, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 146 the system of any one of embodiments 143 to 145, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

Embodiment 147 the system of embodiment 146, wherein the liquid is water.

Embodiment 148 the system of any of embodiments 143 to 147, wherein the temperature regulator is not part of the reservoir.

Embodiment 149. the system of any of embodiments 143 to 148, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a channel configured to retain and/or permit fluid flow.

Embodiment 150 the system of any of embodiments 143 to 149, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a thermoelectric motor configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 151 the system of any of embodiments 143 to 150, wherein the reservoir is not configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 152 the system of any of embodiments 143 to 151, wherein the reservoir comprises a removable container configured to contain the fluid.

Embodiment 153 the system of any of embodiments 143 to 152, further comprising a pump configured to withdraw fluid from the reservoir and direct fluid from the pump, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump.

Embodiment 154 the system of embodiment 153, wherein the pump is configured to prevent fluid flow from the pump to the reservoir.

Embodiment 155 the system of embodiment 153, wherein the pump is further configured to separate fluid in the temperature regulator from fluid contained in the reservoir.

Embodiment 156 the system of embodiment 153, wherein the pump is further configured to direct fluid to flow from the pump, through the temperature regulator, through a portion of the article of furniture, and to the pump.

Embodiment 157 the system of embodiment 153, wherein the pump is further configured to direct fluid from the pump, through a portion of the article of furniture, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump.

Embodiment 158 the system of embodiment 153, wherein the processor is operably coupled to the pump and programmed to control the pump to withdraw fluid from the reservoir and direct fluid from the pump, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump.

Embodiment 159 the system of any of embodiments 143 to 158, further comprising a gate disposed between the reservoir and the temperature regulator, the gate configured to prevent fluid flow away from the temperature regulator and toward the reservoir.

Embodiment 160. the system of embodiment 159, wherein the gate is a one-way valve.

Embodiment 161. the system of any of embodiments 143 to 160, further comprising an additional portion of the article of furniture configured to hold fluid, wherein the additional portion is different from the portion.

Embodiment 162 the system of embodiment 161, wherein a further portion of the article of furniture is in fluid communication with a further temperature regulator configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid, wherein the temperature regulator and the further temperature regulator are different.

Embodiment 163 the system of embodiment 162, wherein the temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator are not in fluid communication with each other.

Embodiment 164. the system of embodiment 162, wherein an additional temperature regulator is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Embodiment 165. the system of embodiment 162, wherein the processor is operably coupled to the additional temperature regulator and is further programmed to control the additional temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid to regulate the temperature of the additional portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 166. the system of embodiment 165, wherein the processor is further programmed to independently control the temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator to independently regulate the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture and the temperature of the additional portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 167. the system of any of embodiments 143 to 166, wherein a portion of the article of furniture comprises a channel configured to retain a fluid and/or permit a fluid flow.

Embodiment 168. the system of embodiment 167, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of interconnected channels configured to retain fluid and/or permit fluid flow.

Embodiment 169 the system according to any of embodiments 143 to 168, further comprising an additional portion of the item of furniture, the additional portion comprising at least one sensor operably coupled to the processor and configured to detect a bio-signal of at least one user of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 170 the system of embodiment 169, wherein the bio-signal comprises a cardiac signal, a respiratory signal, motion, temperature, or perspiration.

Embodiment 171. the system of embodiment 169, wherein the processor is further configured to monitor (i) the at least one user's bio-signal, (ii) a sleep pattern of the at least one user based on the at least one user's bio-signal detected over a period of time, and/or (iii) a temperature setting of a portion of the item of furniture over a period of time.

Embodiment 172. the system of embodiment 171, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the bio-signals, sleep patterns, and/or temperature settings between two or more users.

Embodiment 173 the system of embodiment 172, wherein the processor is further configured to activate a group of two or more users based on a comparison of the bio-signal, the sleep pattern, and/or the temperature setting.

Embodiment 174. the system of any of embodiments 143 to 173, wherein adjusting comprises changing a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 175 the system of embodiment 174, wherein the changing comprises increasing a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 176. the system of embodiment 174, wherein the altering comprises reducing a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 177. a method for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing a temperature regulator in fluid communication with (i) a portion of the article of furniture capable of holding a fluid and (ii) a reservoir capable of containing the fluid, wherein the temperature regulator is capable of regulating the temperature of the fluid when the reservoir does not contain the fluid; and (b) controlling, by the computer system, the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby regulating the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 178 the method of embodiment 177, wherein the article of furniture further comprises a bed or a seat.

Embodiment 179. the method of embodiment 178, wherein the bed comprises a mattress, a mattress pad, a blanket, a functional variant thereof, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 180. the method of any one of embodiments 177 to 179, wherein the fluid is a liquid.

Embodiment 181 the method of embodiment 180, wherein the liquid is water.

Embodiment 182 the method of any of embodiments 177 to 181, wherein the temperature regulator is not part of the reservoir.

Embodiment 183. the method of any of embodiments 177 to 182, further comprising controlling, by the computer system, the temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid not in the reservoir.

Embodiment 184. the method of any of embodiments 177 to 183, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a channel configured to hold a fluid and/or to permit a fluid to flow.

Embodiment 185 the method of any of embodiments 177-184, wherein the temperature regulator comprises a thermoelectric motor configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 186 the method of any of embodiments 177 to 185, wherein the temperature of the fluid in the reservoir is not adjusted.

Embodiment 187 the method of any of embodiments 177 to 186, further comprising, by the computer system, (i) withdrawing fluid from the reservoir to the pump, and (ii) directing fluid from the pump, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump.

Embodiment 188 the method of embodiment 187, wherein the pump does not direct fluid flow from the pump to the reservoir.

Embodiment 189 the method of embodiment 187, further comprising separating the fluid flowing through the temperature regulator from the fluid contained in the reservoir by using a pump.

Embodiment 190 the method of embodiment 187, further comprising directing, by the computer system, fluid to flow from the pump, through the temperature regulator, through a portion of the article of furniture, and to the pump.

Embodiment 191 the method of embodiment 187, further comprising directing, by the computer system, fluid from the pump, through a portion of the article of furniture, through the temperature regulator, and to the pump.

Embodiment 192. the method of any of embodiments 177 to 191, further comprising preventing fluid flow away from the temperature regulator and to the reservoir using a gate disposed between the reservoir and the temperature regulator.

Embodiment 193 the method of embodiment 192, wherein the gate is a one-way valve.

Embodiment 194 the method of any one of embodiments 177 to 193, further comprising: (a) providing a further temperature regulator in fluid communication with a further portion of the article of furniture capable of holding a fluid, wherein the further temperature regulator is capable of regulating the temperature of the fluid; and (b) controlling, by the computer system, the additional temperature regulator to regulate the temperature of the fluid to regulate an additional temperature of an additional portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 195. the method of embodiment 194, wherein a portion of the article of furniture is different from another portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 196 the method of embodiment 194, wherein the temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator are not in fluid communication with each other.

Embodiment 197. the method of embodiment 194, wherein an additional temperature regulator is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Embodiment 198. the method of embodiment 194, further comprising independently controlling, by the computer system, the temperature regulator and the additional temperature regulator to independently regulate the temperature of the portion of the article of furniture and the additional temperature of the additional portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 199. the method of any of embodiments 177 to 198, further comprising detecting, by the computer system, a bio-signal of at least one user in the item of furniture by using at least one sensor disposed in another portion of the item of furniture.

Embodiment 200. the method of embodiment 199, wherein the bio-signal comprises a cardiac signal, a respiratory signal, motion, temperature, or perspiration.

Embodiment 201. the method of embodiment 199, further comprising monitoring, by the computer system, (i) a sleep pattern of the at least one user based on the at least one user's bio-signals detected over the period of time, and/or (ii) a temperature setting of a portion of the item of furniture over the period of time.

Embodiment 202. the method of embodiment 201, further comprising comparing, by the computer system, the sleep pattern and/or temperature setting between two or more users.

Embodiment 203. the method of embodiment 202, further comprising activating, by the computer system, a group of two or more users based on the comparison of the sleep mode and/or the temperature setting.

Embodiment 204. the method of any of embodiments 177 to 203, wherein adjusting comprises changing a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 205 the method of embodiment 204, wherein changing comprises increasing a temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 206. the method of embodiment 204, wherein changing comprises lowering the temperature of a portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 207 a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any of embodiments 177 to 206.

Embodiment 208. a system comprising one or more computer processors and computer memory coupled thereto. The computer memory contains machine executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any of embodiments 177 to 206.

Embodiment 209. a system for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture, the system comprising:

an article of furniture comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is configured to retain a fluid; a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of the fluid, wherein the common temperature controller comprises (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of the article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid; and a processor operatively coupled to the common temperature controller, the processor programmed to control the common temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the fluid to independently regulate a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 210 the system of embodiment 209, wherein the item of furniture is a bed.

Embodiment 211 the system of any of embodiments 209 to 210, wherein the fluid is water.

Embodiment 212. the system of any of embodiments 209 to 210, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture are different.

Embodiment 213 the system of any of embodiments 209 to 210, wherein the common temperature controller further comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel of the common temperature controller, the reservoir configured to contain a fluid.

Embodiment 214 the system of embodiment 213, wherein the common temperature controller further comprises (i) a first temperature regulator in fluid communication with the first channel and configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid, and (ii) a second temperature regulator in fluid communication with the second channel and configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 215 the system of embodiment 214, wherein the first temperature regulator and the second temperature regulator are not part of the reservoir.

Embodiment 216 the system of embodiment 214, wherein the first temperature regulator and/or the second temperature regulator is a thermoelectric engine.

Embodiment 217 the system of embodiment 214, wherein the reservoir is not configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 218 the system of embodiment 214, wherein the common temperature controller further comprises: (i) a first pump in fluid communication with the first channel, the first pump configured to direct fluid flow between the first channel and a first portion of the article of furniture; and/or (ii) a second pump in fluid communication with the second channel, the second pump configured to direct fluid flow between the second channel and the second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 219 the system of embodiment 214, wherein the common temperature controller further comprises (i) a first gate disposed between the reservoir and the first temperature regulator, the first gate configured to prevent fluid flow away from the first temperature regulator and toward the reservoir, and/or (ii) a second gate disposed between the reservoir and the second temperature regulator, the second gate configured to prevent fluid flow away from the second temperature regulator and toward the reservoir.

Embodiment 220 the system of any of embodiments 209 to 219, wherein the regulating comprises changing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture or a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 221. the system of embodiment 220, wherein the regulating comprises changing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 222. the system of embodiment 221, wherein changing comprises (i) increasing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and (ii) increasing a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 223 the system of embodiment 221, wherein the modifying comprises (i) increasing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and (ii) decreasing a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 224. the system of embodiment 221, wherein the varying comprises (i) decreasing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and (ii) decreasing a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 225. a method for regulating the temperature of an article of furniture, the method comprising: (a) providing a common temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of a fluid, wherein the common temperature controller comprises (i) a first channel in fluid communication with a first portion of an article of furniture, and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with a second portion of the article of furniture, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture are configured to hold the fluid, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to hold the fluid; and (b) controlling a common temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby independently regulating a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 226. the method of embodiment 225, wherein the article of furniture is a bed.

Embodiment 227 the method of any one of embodiments 225 to 226, wherein the fluid is water.

Embodiment 228. the method of any of embodiments 225 to 226, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the article of furniture are different.

Embodiment 229. the method according to any one of embodiments 225 to 226, wherein the common temperature controller further comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel of the common temperature controller, the reservoir configured to contain a fluid.

Embodiment 230. the method of any of embodiments 225 to 226, further comprising controlling (i) a first temperature regulator in fluid communication with the first channel to regulate the temperature of the fluid, and (ii) a second temperature regulator in fluid communication with the second channel to regulate the temperature of the fluid, thereby independently regulating the first temperature of the first portion of the article of furniture and the second temperature of the second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 231. the method of embodiment 230, wherein the first temperature regulator and the second temperature regulator are not part of the reservoir.

Embodiment 232 the method of embodiment 230, wherein the first temperature regulator and/or the second temperature regulator is a thermoelectric engine.

Embodiment 233 the method of embodiment 230, wherein the reservoir is not configured to regulate the temperature of the fluid.

Embodiment 234 the method according to embodiment 230 further comprises controlling: (i) a first pump in fluid communication with the first channel to direct fluid flow between the first channel and the first portion of the article of furniture; and/or (ii) a second pump in fluid communication with the second passage to direct fluid flow between the second passage and the second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 235 the method of embodiment 230, wherein the common temperature controller further comprises (i) a first gate disposed between the reservoir and the first temperature regulator, the first gate configured to prevent fluid flow away from the first temperature regulator and toward the reservoir, and/or (ii) a second gate disposed between the reservoir and the second temperature regulator, the second gate configured to prevent fluid flow away from the second temperature regulator and toward the reservoir.

Embodiment 236. the method of any of embodiments 225 to 235, wherein the regulating comprises changing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture or a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 237. the method of embodiment 236, wherein regulating comprises changing a first temperature of a first portion of the article of furniture and a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 238. the method of embodiment 237, wherein varying comprises (i) increasing a first temperature of a first portion of an article of furniture and (ii) increasing a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 239 the method of embodiment 237, wherein changing comprises (i) increasing a first temperature of a first portion of an article of furniture and (ii) decreasing a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 240. the method of embodiment 237, wherein varying comprises (i) decreasing a first temperature of a first portion of an article of furniture and (ii) decreasing a second temperature of a second portion of the article of furniture.

Embodiment 241. a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine-executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any of embodiments 225 to 240.

Embodiment 242 a system comprising one or more computer processors and computer memory coupled thereto. The computer memory contains machine executable code which, when executed by one or more computer processors, implements a method according to any of embodiments 225 to 240.