Systems and methods for updating smart bed remote control

Abstract

A remote control system for a smart bed includes a remote control and a smart phone. The smart bed includes a mattress and a control unit that controls operation of one or more functions of the mattress. The smart bed also includes a receiver in communication with the control unit. The remote control includes a processor in communication with a transmitter, a transceiver, and one or more inputs in communication with the processor to allow an individual to control or determine a manner in which at least one function of the mattress will operate. The smart phone includes a processor that executes an app to enable the processor to receive updates for the remote control and send those updates to the processor of the remote control.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A remote control system for a smart bed, comprising:
 the smart bed including:
 a mattress; 
 a control unit that controls operation of at least one function of the smart bed; and 
 a receiver in communication with the control unit; 
   a remote control including:
 a processor; 
 at least one input in communication with the processor to enable an individual to determine a manner in which the at least one function of the smart bed will operate; 
 a transmitter in communication with the processor; 
 a transceiver in communication with the processor; and 
 at least one antenna associated with the transceiver of the remote control; 
   a portable electronic device including:
 a processor that executes an app for use with the smart bed, the app enabling the processor to receive updates for the remote control and to cause the processor to send updates to at least one of the control unit of the smart bed and the processor of the remote control; 
 at least one transceiver in communication with the processor to establish communication between the processor of the portable electronic device and at least one of the control unit of the smart bed and the processor of the remote control to transmit the updates to at least one of the receiver and the control unit of the smart bed and the transceiver and the processor of the remote control; and 
 at least one antenna associated with the transceiver of the portable electronic device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The remote control system of  claim 1 , wherein the app causes the processor and the transceiver of the portable electronic device to send updates for the remote control to the transceiver and the processor of the remote control. 
     
     
         3 . The remote control system of  claim 1 , wherein the app causes the processor and the transceiver of the portable electronic device to send updates for the remote control to the receiver and the control unit of the smart bed. 
     
     
         4 . The remote control system of  claim 1 , wherein the app causes the processor and the transceiver of the portable electronic device to send updates for the control unit of the smart bed to the receiver and the control unit of the smart bed. 
     
     
         5 . The remote control system of  claim 1 , wherein the app causes the processor and the transceiver of the portable electronic device to send updates for the control unit of the smart bed to the transceiver and the processor of the remote control. 
     
     
         6 . The remote control system of  claim 1 , wherein the smart bed further includes:
 an adjustable platform including a plurality of moveable sections; and   at least one motor that controls movement of the plurality of moveable sections under control of the control unit of the mattress.   
     
     
         7 . The remote control system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one function comprises at least one of a pressurizable bladder, a temperature control system, a ventilation system, and at least one sensor. 
     
     
         8 . A remote control system, comprising:
 a remote control including:
 a processor; 
 at least one input in communication with the processor; 
 a transmitter in communication with the processor; 
 a transceiver in communication with the processor; and 
 at least one antenna associated with the transceiver; 
   a portable electronic device including:
 a processor that executes an app enabling the processor to receive updates for the remote control and to cause the processor of the portable electronic device to send updates to the processor of the remote control; 
 at least one transceiver in communication with the processor of the portable electronic device to establish communication between the processor of the portable electronic device and the processor of the remote control to enable transmission of the updates to the transceiver of the remote control and the processor of the remote control; and 
 at least one antenna associated with the transceiver of the portable electronic device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The remote control system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one input of the remote control includes no more than three inputs. 
     
     
         10 . The remote control system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one input of the remote control comprises at least one button. 
     
     
         11 . A method for updating a remote control of a smart bed, comprising:
 receiving a notification for an update through an app on a portable electronic device;   initiating the update with the app on the portable electronic device; and   transmitting the update to the remote control.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving the notification for the update with the portable electronic device comprises automatically receiving the notification for the update. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein initiating the update with the portable electronic device comprises automatically initiating the update with the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein transmitting the update to the remote control comprises automatically transmitting the update through a wireless network to the remote control. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein transmitting the update to the portable electronic device comprises transmitting the update directly from the portable electronic device to the remote control. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein transmitting the update comprises transmitting the update to an intermediary device that can operate under control of the remote control and then transmitting the update from the intermediary device to the remote control. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein transmitting the update to an intermediary device comprises transmitting the update to the smart bed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein transmitting the update comprises transmitting the update to a smart bed that can operate under control of the remote control and then transmitting the update from the smart bed to the remote control. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 transmitting a confirmation signal from the remote control to the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         20 . A method for updating a remote control of a smart bed, comprising:
 receiving, by a transceiver of the remote control in communication with a processor of the remote control, an update for the remote control;   initiating the update with the remote control; and   downloading the update to the remote control.