Systems, Methods, And Techniques For Eye Gaze Control Of Seat And Bed Positioning

What is this patent about?

’330 is related to the field of powered adjustable seating and beds, specifically addressing the challenge of controlling these devices for individuals with limited motor skills. Traditionally, these devices rely on hand-operated controls, which are inaccessible to people with conditions like ALS or muscular dystrophy. The patent aims to provide an alternative control mechanism that allows these individuals to adjust their posture independently, improving their comfort and preventing pressure sores.

The underlying idea behind ’330 is to use eye-tracking technology to enable individuals with limited mobility to control the positioning of powered wheelchairs or beds. Instead of physical buttons or joysticks, the system uses a camera to monitor the user's gaze and interprets their eye movements as commands to adjust the seat or bed. This allows for a hands-free control system that can be operated by individuals who are unable to use traditional input methods.

The claims of ’330 focus on a microcontroller-implemented method for adjusting a powered seat or bed using eye gaze. The method involves presenting a first user interface with selectable virtual controls for different posture axes (e.g., leg lift, recline). Upon receiving eye gaze input selecting an axis and then an adjustment amount from a second user interface, the system forwards these selections to determine a recommended change, modifies the selections based on the recommendation, and then automatically activates actuators to adjust the seat or bed accordingly, all without requiring manual or oral input.

In practice, the system uses an eye gaze camera to track the user's eye movements on a display screen. The software presents virtual buttons representing different adjustment options. When the user fixates on a button for a predetermined duration, the system interprets this as a selection. The system then sends commands to the actuators that control the seat or bed's position. A posture and pressure advisor module monitors pressure distribution and recommends posture changes to prevent pressure sores, potentially overriding user input to ensure safety.

This approach differs from prior solutions by replacing traditional hand-operated controls with an eye-gaze-based interface. This allows individuals with severe motor impairments to regain control over their positioning, improving their comfort and independence. The system also incorporates a pressure monitoring system that provides feedback and recommendations to prevent pressure sores, a common problem for individuals who spend extended periods in seated or lying positions. The integration of eye-tracking and pressure monitoring creates a comprehensive solution for posture control in powered seating and beds.