# US 11,918,119 B2 · Bed microclimate control with preparation cycle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,918,119 B2 - Document ID: US11918119B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/139,668 - Filed: 2020-12-31 - Published: 2021-07-08 - Granted: 2024-03-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-03 - Assignees: Sleep Number Corporation - Applicants: Sleep Number Corporation - Inventors: Kody Lee Karschnik; Chee Nong Yang; Eric Stephen Rose; Caleb Siffring; Alexander Norell; Cristina Marie Jocson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11918119B2 ## CPC - A47C 21/048: {for heating} - A47C 19/027: {with means for preventing frame from sagging} - A47C 20/041: {by electric motors} - A47C 21/044: {with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps} - A47C 27/081: {of pneumatic type} - A47C 27/082: {with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps} - A47C 27/083: {with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors} - A47C 27/10: with two or more independently-fillable chambers - A47C 27/14: with foamed material inlays - A47C 27/18: in combination with inflatable bodies - A47C 31/001: {Fireproof means} - A47C 31/005: {Use of aromatic materials, e.g. herbs} - A47C 31/007: {Anti-mite, anti-allergen or anti-bacterial means} - G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence} - G05B 19/4155: characterised by program execution, i.e. part program or machine function execution, e.g. selection of a program - G16H 40/63: for local operation - A47C 20/04: with adjustable inclination (A47C20/08 takes precedence) - A47C 27/15: consisting of two or more layers (A47C27/16 takes precedence) - A47C 31/008: {Use of remote controls} - G05B 2219/2614: HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control - G05B 2219/2638: Airconditioning - G05B 2219/37371: Flow - G05B 2219/50333: Temperature - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract A bed system includes microclimate control capabilities for providing quality sleep experience. The bed system can include a microclimate control subsystem configured to supply conditioned air (e.g., heated or cooled air) to a mattress, or draw ambient air from the mattress, to achieve a desired temperature at the top of the mattress. Utilizing supply of conditioned air to provide air at desired temperature to the mattress system, or utilizing air suction to drain heat away from the mattress system, can provide precise microclimate control at the mattress, thereby permitting conformable sleep. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling a microclimate of a mattress, comprising: determining a time period of expected user sleep; sensing whether a user is present on the mattress; in response to sensing presence during the time period of expected user sleep, flowing air through the mattress at a first flow rate in a first operation mode to control microclimate of the mattress while the user is on the mattress; in response to sensing that the user exited the mattress since a beginning of the time period of expected user sleep, flowing air through the mattress at a second flow rate in a second operation mode that is different than the first operation mode, the second flow rate being higher than the first flow rate; and in response to sensing that the user returned to the mattress after the user exited the mattress and before an end of the time period of expected user sleep, resuming the first operation mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the mattress comprises one or more air distribution layers and one or more air controllers fluidly connected to the one or more air distribution layers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the mattress comprises a mattress core having one or more air chambers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, the method further comprising adjusting air pressure on the one or more air chambers during the second operation mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a fan of an air controller is operated during both the first operation mode and the second operation mode, and wherein the fan is operated at a different speed in the first operation mode than in the second operation mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a heater of an air controller is operated during both the first operation mode and the second operation mode, and wherein the heater is operated differently in the first operation mode than in the second operation mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a heater of an air controller is operated during the first operation mode and not during the second operation mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein flowing air through the mattress at the second flow rate in the second operation mode comprises: drawing air from the mattress at the second flow rate in the second operation mode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein flowing air through the mattress at the second flow rate in the second operation mode comprises: cooling air; and causing the cooled air to flow to the mattress at the second flow rate in the second operation mode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein flowing air through the mattress at the second flow rate in the second operation mode comprises: heating air; and causing the heated air to flow to the mattress at the second flow rate in the second operation mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the time period of expected user sleep comprises: analyzing user sleep data; and determining, based on the user sleep data, a historical time period of user sleep as the time period of expected user sleep. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the time period of expected user sleep comprises: receiving a manual user setting of a sleep time; and determining the manual user setting as the time period of expected user sleep.