Controlled climate bed with sleeper feedback

Abstract

A climate-controlled bed capable of adapting to the needs of a sleeper via a closed loop feedback control system is provided. The bed includes a thermoelectric energy source, a sensor configured to monitor a physiological temperature of a sleeper, and a control system that regulates a temperature of the bed via the thermoelectric energy source. The control system can utilize data from the sensor to determine optimal thermal needs of the sleeper. The control system can also vary the temperature of the bed during a sleep cycle based on at least one predetermined sleep factor, such as the natural circadian temperature cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A climate-controlled bed, comprising:
 a first thermal energy source; and   a control system that regulates a temperature of the bed via the first thermal energy source,   wherein the control system varies the temperature during a sleep cycle of the user based on at least one predetermined sleep factor.   
     
     
         2 . The bed of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to monitor a physiological temperature of a user, wherein the control system utilizes data from the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The bed of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is a closed-loop feedback system. 
     
     
         4 . The bed of  claim 1 , wherein the sleep factors comprise at least one of the natural circadian cycle of temperature variation, the local time, and the user's current temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The bed of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor configured to monitor at least a heart rate, physical movement, sweating, blood pressure, or a thermal state of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The bed of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermal energy source simultaneously provides cooling and warming to separate air streams directed to different areas of the bed sleeping surface. 
     
     
         7 . The bed of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling source configured to decrease the temperature of at least a portion of the bed. 
     
     
         8 . The bed of  claim 1 , further comprising a second thermal energy source disposed on the bed. 
     
     
         9 . The bed of  claim 1 , wherein the control system varies the temperature via heating at least a portion of an article disposed on the bed. 
     
     
         10 . The bed of  claim 9 , wherein the article is one of a pillow and a heating pad. 
     
     
         11 . A system for controlling the climate of a bed having a plurality of zones, comprising:
 an energy source; and   a control system that can regulate temperatures of each zone of the bed via the energy source.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a sensor configured to monitor a physiological temperature of a user. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of sensors, each configured to monitor a physiological temperature of the user at a different location. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a cooling source configured to decrease the temperature of at least one zone of the bed. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein heating and cooling may be applied to different zones of the bed simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control system may be customized to match particular needs of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the energy source is disposed on the bed. 
     
     
         18 . A method of controlling temperatures of a bed, comprising
 providing an energy source;   monitoring temperature data of a user via a control system;   modifying the temperature of the bed, via the energy source, based on the user's temperature data compared to a target temperature customized to the user.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein monitoring the temperature of the user comprises placing sensors on at least one glabrous skin site and optionally on at least one non-glabrous skin site. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising monitoring at least one of heart rate, physical movement, and sweating of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ideal temperature customized to the user is based on data representing a natural circadian cycle of temperature variation. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ideal temperature customized to the user is based on a request by the user. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the energy source is provided on the bed.