US20100242182A1

US20100242182A1 - Portable Cushion Device

Info

Publication number: US20100242182A1
Application number: US12/468,838
Authority: US
Inventors: Bor-Nian Chuang; Tien-Cheng TSENG; Chan-Hsiao Ho
Original assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Current assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute ITRI
Priority date: 2009-03-30
Filing date: 2009-05-19
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Also published as: TWI391109B; DE102009022603A1; DE102009022603B4; TW201034602A

Abstract

A portable cushion device is provided, including a first cushion region, a second cushion region, a control interface module, and an alarm unit. The second cushion region includes an inflation inlet. The first cushion region is located on the outside of the second cushion region. The control interface module is connected to the second cushion region, and is able to inflate the second cushion region to a specific pressure through the inflation inlet. When an object is placed on the second cushion region, the control interface module measures the weight of the object and monitors the object continuously. The alarm unit is triggered to issue an alarm when the control interface module detects a sudden increase or decrease of the weight of the monitored object on the second cushion region.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a portable cushion device and a method of using a portable cushion.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Taiwan Patent No. 308839 disclosed an infant safety sleep protective cushion. As shown in FIG. 1, protective cushion 100 provides an inner cushion 110, an outer protective cushion 120, and uses a pipe 130 and a micro switch 140 to activate an electric alarm clock 150. When the baby triggers outer protective cushion 120, electric alarm clock 150 is triggered to make noise. With protective cushion 100, the infant's sleep posture may be adjusted and protective cushion 100 also prevents the infant from falling off. Protective cushion 100 provides safety protection for baby to sleep in. However, the disclosed protective cushion is neither portable nor provides automatic inflation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,072 disclosed a comfort cushion for infants. As shown in FIG. 2, a comfort cushion 200 includes a mattress 210, a pulsating fluid pump 220, and a sensor 230. Comfort cushion 200 is to provide a mattress 210 for the comfort of infant 240, and uses a sensor 230 with wired or wireless transmission for measuring the pulse of the infant. Mattress 210 is connected to a controller through a pipe. However, comfort cushion 200 does not provide breathing function, and sensor 230 must be attached to infant 240.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosed relates to a portable cushion device. The portable cushion device may comprise a first cushion region, a second cushion region, a control interface module, and an alarm unit. The second cushion region includes an inflation inlet. The first cushion region is located on the outside of the second cushion region. The control interface module is connected to the second cushion region, and is able to inflate the second cushion region to a specific pressure through the inflation inlet. When an object is placed on the second cushion region, the control interface module measures the weight of the object and monitors the object continuously. The alarm unit is triggered to issue an alarm when the control interface module detects the sudden increase or decrease of the weight of the monitored object on the second cushion region.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosed relates to an operation method of a portable cushion device. A control interface module is connected to a second cushion, and a first cushion region is located on the outside of the second cushion region. The second cushion region is inflated to a specific pressure through the control interface module, and stop inflation when the specific pressure is reached. An object is placed on the second cushion region. The control interface module measures and records the weight of the object. The control interface module continuously monitors the object's weight on the second cushion region.
The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a conventional cushion device.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of another conventional cushion device.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary schematic view of a portable cushion device, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B shows an exemplary schematic view of a first cushion region and a second cushion region, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C shows an exemplary schematic view illustrating the assembly and disassembly of the first and the second cushion regions, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary block diagram illustrating a control interface module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B shows an exemplary schematic view of a control unit, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C shows an exemplary structure illustrating the control interface module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4D shows an exemplary schematic view illustrating the connection between the control interface module and the second cushion region, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A shows an exemplary block diagram of an alarm unit, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B shows an exemplary structure illustrating the alarm unit, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of the portable cushion device by taking an infant as an example of a test object, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the portable cushion device, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a working example illustrating of the operation of the control interface module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary schematic view of a portable cushion device, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, a portable cushion device 300 may comprise a first cushion region 310, a second cushion region 320, a control interface module 330, and an alarm unit 340. Second cushion region 320 includes an inflation inlet 321. First cushion region 310 is located on the outside of second cushion region 320. Control interface module 330 is connected to second cushion region 320, and is able to inflate second cushion region 320 to a specific pressure through inflation inlet 321. When an object (not shown) is placed on second cushion region 320, control interface module 330 measures the weight of the object and monitors the object continuously. Alarm unit 340 is triggered to issue an alarm when control interface module 330 detects the sudden increase or decrease of the weight of the monitored object on second cushion region 320.
FIG. 3B shows an exemplary schematic view of a first cushion region and a second cushion region, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, a first cushion region 310 and a second cushion region 320 may consist of a plurality of donut-shaped air cushions 311 and 322 respectively. Donut-shaped air cushions 311 and 322 have respective air flow channel 312 and 323. First cushion region 310 and second cushion region 320 may be made of soft material, with breathing function, and is easy to fold, carry or store.
FIG. 3C shows an exemplary schematic view illustrating the assembly and disassembly of the first and the second cushion regions, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. First cushion region 310 is located on the outside of second cushion region 320. The inner side of first cushion region 310 and the outer side of second cushion region 320 include connection elements 313, 324, respectively. Connection elements 313, 324 may be, for example, touch fastener, zipper, and so on, for providing connection between the first cushion region 310 and the second cushion region 320. Such connection also enables fast and convenient disassembly and assembly of first cushion region 310 and second cushion region 320.
FIG. 4A shows an exemplary block diagram illustrating a control interface module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, a control interface module 330 includes a control unit 331, a power unit 332, a valve unit 333, a pump unit 334, a pressure sensor unit 335, a transmitter unit 336, a buzzer unit 337, and a plurality of switches 338. Control unit 331 is connected respectively to power unit 332, valve unit 333, pump unit 334, pressure sensor unit 335, transmitter unit 336, buzzer unit 337 and switches 338. Power unit 332 is connected to valve unit 333, pump unit 334 and pressure sensor unit 335 to provide the power required for operation. Control unit 331 receives the signals from pressure sensor unit 335.
FIG. 4B shows an exemplary schematic view of a control unit, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4B, control unit 331 includes a micro control unit (MCU) 3310 and one or more liquid crystal displays (LCDs) 3311. MCU 3310 is connected respectively to valve unit 333 and pump unit 334. Valve driver 3331 and pump driver 3341 are to drive the operation of increasing or decreasing the pressure. MCU 3310 controls the switching of switches 338. LCD 3311 displays the related information required to display by MCU 3310. Power unit 332 may include a regulator 3320 and a battery 3321. One end of regulator 3320 is connected to battery 3321, and the other end is connected respectively to MCU 3310, valve unit 33, pump unit 334 and pressure sensor unit 335 to provide the power required for operation. Power unit 332 may also be connected to another AC power to provide long-term power supply.
Valve 333 may include a valve 3330 and a valve driver 3331. MCU 3310 uses valve driver 3331 to control the operation of valve 3330 for de-pressurization. Pump unit 334 may include a pump 3340 and a pump driver 3341. MCU 3310 uses pump driver 3341 to control pump 3340 for pressurizing. Pressure sensor unit 335 may include a pressure sensor 3350 and an amplifier 3351. Pressure sensor 3350 uses amplifier to feedback signal to MCU 3310. Transmitter unit 336 may include a transmitter 3360 and an antenna 3361. Transmitter unit 336 is connected to MCU 3310, and is controlled by MCU 3310 for transmitting wireless signals. Buzzer unit 337 may include a buzzer 3370 and an amplifier 3371. Buzzer unit 337 is connected to MCU 3310, and is controlled by MCU 3310 for issuing an alarm. Switches 338 receive signals from MCU 3310 for switching the power and entering the sleeping mode.
FIG. 4C shows an exemplary structure illustrating the control interface module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4C, control interface module 330 may include a control unit 331, a power unit 332, a valve unit 333, a pump unit 334, a pressure sensor unit 335 and an air connector 410. Air connector 410 is connected to pump unit 334. Control unit 331 uses pump unit 334 to control the pressure outputted to air connector 410.
FIG. 4D shows an exemplary schematic view illustrating the connection between the control interface module and the second cushion region, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, control interface module connects to inflation inlet 321 of second cushion region 320 for inflation uses via an air pipe 420. Pressure sensor unit 335 feedbacks the signals from valve unit 333 and pump unit 334 to control unit 331. Control unit 331 controls the pressure outputted from pump unit 334 to second cushion region 320 for inflation, and uses valve 333 to reduce the pressure of second cushion region 320 for deflation. Pressure sensor unit 335 receives the pressure signal transmitted from second cushion region 320 and feedbacks to control unit 331 for the conversion between pressure and gravity to display the weight of the object on second cushion region 320. Hence, control interface module 330 connected to second cushion region 320 may also be used as a weight scale.
FIG. 5A shows an exemplary block diagram of an alarm unit, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5A, alarm unit 340 may include at least an MCU 341, a receiver 342, a battery 343, and a buzzer unit 344. MCU 341 receives signals from receiver 343 to trigger buzzer unit 344 for issuing an alarm. Battery 343 provides power to MCU 341 and receiver 342. Receiver 342 includes an antenna 3421. Buzzer unit 344 may include an amplifier 3441 and a buzzer 3442.
FIG. 5B shows an exemplary structure illustrating the alarm unit, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5B, alarm unit 340 may include at least a receiver 342, a buzzer unit 344, an LED light 510, a power switch 520 and a hanging hole 530. When receiver 342 receives signals transmitted from control interface module 330 having an alarm signal, buzzer unit 344 and LED light 510 are triggered to issue the alarm.
FIG. 6 shows the operation of the portable cushion device by taking an infant as an example of a test object, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the example, after second cushion region 320 is pressurized to a specific pressure, control interface module 330 stop inflating second cushion region 320, and control interface module 330 displays the weight at this moment, for example, 0. First cushion region 310 is placed on the outside of second cushion region 320. An infant 600 is placed on second cushion region 320, and control interface module 330 measures the weight of infant 600. After the weight of infant 600 is displayed and stored, the cushion device enters the monitoring mode and control interface module 330 continues to monitor infant 600. When control interface module 330 detects that sudden increase of decrease of the weight, for example, infant 600 rolling over from second cushion region 320 to first cushion region 310, control interface module 330 issues a warning signal transmitted to alarm unit 340 to trigger alarm unit 340 to issue an alarm. Portable cushion device 300 of the present disclosure is also applicable to such as adults or animals.
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the portable cushion device, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the first step (step 710) is to connect a control interface module to a second cushion region. Through the control interface module, the second cushion region is inflated to a specific pressure, as shown in step 720. In step 730, an object to be measured or monitored is placed on the second cushion region, and the control interface module is used to measure and display the weight of the object. In step 740, the control interface module continues monitoring the weight of the object on the second cushion region. When the control interface module detects a sudden change of weight on the second cushion region, an alarm is issued, as shown in step 750. In step 720, when the control interface module stops inflating, the displayed weight is, for example, 0.
FIG. 8 shows a working example illustrating of the operation of the control interface module, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the control interface module is connected to the second cushion region to inflate the second cushion region, and the control interface module determines whether the second cushion region is inflated to a specific pressure, as shown in step 810. After the second cushion region is inflated to a specific pressure, the control interface module measures, displays and stores the weight of the object on the second cushion region, as shown in step 820. Whether to enter the monitoring mode to continue monitoring the weight of the object may be selected, as shown in step 830. When a sudden change in the weight, for example increase or decrease, of the monitored object is detected, an alarm is issued, as shown in step 840.
In step 820, when the pressure sensor unit of the control interface module measures the weight of the object, the pressure sensor unit may transmit a voltage signal representing the pressure caused by the object weight to MCU to compute the weight of the object. The structure of the cushion allows the use of solid-fluid coupling analytic simulation, and the relation between load and pressure, such as a linear relation y=ax−b, i.e., load y, regression line of pressure x and slope a, to measure the weight to the best precision, for example, the error is within 200 grams. The accuracy of final measurement may be further doubled by calibrating using multi-point calibration table.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable cushion device, comprising:

a second cushion region having an inflation inlet;

a first cushion region located on outside of said second cushion region;

a control interface module connected to said second cushion region, able to inflate said second cushion region through said inflation inlet to a specific pressure, when an object being placed on said second cushion region, said control interface module measuring weight of said object and continuing monitoring said object; and

an alarm unit;

wherein when said control interface module detects a sudden change in said weight of said object on said second cushion region, triggers said alarm unit to issue an alarm.

2. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cushion region consists of a plurality of donut-shaped air cushions.

3. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cushion region is made of a soft material.

4. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein inner perimeter of said first region has a connection element.

5. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said donut-shaped air cushions are connected by a plurality of airflow channels.

6. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second cushion region consists of a plurality of donut-shaped air cushions.

7. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second cushion region is made of soft material.

8. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said donut-shaped air cushions are connected by a plurality of airflow channels.

9. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein outer perimeter of said second cushion region has a connection element.

10. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control interface module further includes a control unit, a power unit, a valve unit, a pump unit, a pressure sensor unit, a transmitter unit, a buzzer unit and a plurality of switches, and said control unit connects respectively to said power unit, said valve unit, said pump unit, said pressure sensor unit, said transmitter unit, said buzzer unit and said switches.

11. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control unit further includes a micro control unit and at least a display.

12. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said power unit further includes a battery and a regulator.

13. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said valve unit further includes a valve and a valve driver.

14. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pump unit further includes a pump and a pump driver.

15. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pressure sensor unit further includes a pressure sensor and an amplifier.

16. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transmitter unit further includes a transmitter and an antenna.

17. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said buzzer unit further includes a buzzer and an amplifier.

18. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control interface module transmits at least a wireless signal to trigger said alarm unit.

19. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm unit further includes a micro control unit, a receiver, a buzzer unit and a battery, and said micro control unit receives at least a signal from said receiver for triggering said buzzer unit to issue an alarm.

20. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said receiver further includes an antenna.

21. The portable cushion device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said buzzer unit further comprises a buzzer and an amplifier.

22. A method for operating a portable cushion device, said method comprising:

connecting a control interface module to a second cushion region;

said control interface module inflating said second cushion region and determining whether said second cushion region reaching a specific pressure;

after said second cushion region reaching said specific pressure, measuring weight of an object placed on said second cushion region, displaying and storing said weight of said object, and selecting whether to enter a monitoring mode;

after entering monitoring mode, said control interface module continuing monitoring said weight of said object on said second cushion region; and

when detecting a sudden change in said weight of said monitored object, issuing a warning signal wirelessly to an alarm unit to trigger an alarm.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the operation of said control interface module further includes:

determining whether inflating said second cushion region reaching a specific pressure;

measuring said weight of said object on said second cushion region, displaying and storing said weight;

selecting whether to enter said monitoring mode and continuing monitoring said weight of said object; and

issuing a warning signal to trigger said alarm unit when detecting a sudden change in said weight of said monitored object.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said measuring of said weight of said object placed on said second cushion region is a linear relation between load and pressure for said weight.