WO2014151121A1

WO2014151121A1 - Method and system for monitoring the status and condition of an object

Info

Publication number: WO2014151121A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/025027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karsten SCHMOLDERS; Marcellino GAMELLI
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-12
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: EP2967221A1; EP2967221B1; EP2967221A4

Abstract

A mattress and a monitoring system includes at least one surface layer of a mattress, at least one monitoring module supported by the mattress and located beneath the at least one surface layer, a memory supported by the mattress and including program instructions, and a processor supported by the mattress and operably connected to the at least one monitoring module and the memory. The processor is configured to execute the program instructions to detect a first change in an occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module, and to store occupational status data associated with the detected first change in the memory.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE

STATUS AND CONDITION OF AN OBJECT

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application serial no. 61/791,942, filed March 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems for monitoring the status and/or the condition of an object, and particularly to a method and system of monitoring the condition and/or the status of a support surface, such as a mattress.

Background

[0003] Most articles and objects that we interact with on a daily basis have a limited usable lifespan. Some objects have a short lifespan and most users are able to easily determine when the usable lifespan has expired. Exemplary objects with an easily recognized short useful life include disposable food containers, plastic cutlery, and paper cloths. Other objects that we regularly interact with have a comparatively long usable lifespan and it is difficult for most users to determine the condition of the object and how much useful life remains. For example, support surfaces, such as mattresses, are typically used for five to ten years and during this time period the appearance of the mattress remains largely unchanged. The largely unchanged appearance makes it difficult for some users to determine the condition and the status of the mattress.

[0004] Many factors influence the usable lifespan of a long term product such as a mattress. These factors may make the actual lifespan of the mattress deviate significantly from the typical usable lifespan. For example, most personal users typically grow accustomed to the condition of their mattress and may be unable to detect detrimental changes in the condition of the mattress that significantly shorten the usable lifespan. Similarly, commercial users (such as hotels and hospitals) are largely unaware of how their mattresses are being used by customers. This makes it difficult to determine when a particular mattress has deteriorated to a condition that no longer suitable for customer usage.

[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and a system that determines the status and/or the condition of a long term product, such as a mattress.

Summary

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a mattress and a monitoring system includes at least one surface layer of a mattress, at least one monitoring module supported by the mattress and located beneath the at least one surface layer, a memory supported by the mattress and including program instructions, and a processor supported by the mattress and operably connected to the at least one monitoring module and the memory. The processor is configured to execute the program instructions to detect a first change in an occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module, and to store occupational status data associated with the detected first change in the memory.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a method of monitoring a mattress includes supporting at least one monitoring module beneath a surface layer of a mattress, supporting a memory with the mattress, detecting a first change in an occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module, and storing occupational status data associated with the detected first change in the memory. [0008] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a monitoring system for monitoring an object comprises at least one monitoring module supported by an object to be monitored, a memory supported by the object to be monitored and including program instructions, and a processor supported by the object to be monitored and operably connected to the at least one monitoring module and the memory. The processor is configured to execute the program instructions to detect a first change in a status of the object to be monitored using the at least one monitoring module, and store status data associated with the detected first change in the memory. Brief Description of the Figures

[0009] The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, should become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying figures in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mattress having a monitoring system including numerous electronically interconnected monitoring modules, which are shown in phantom;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mattress and a portion of the monitoring system of FIG. 1, the mattress is shown partially in cross section;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating components of one of the monitoring modules;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring the status and/or the condition of the mattress of FIG. 1 using the monitoring system of FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the mattress and the monitoring system of

FIG. 1 shown in a vacant occupational status;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the mattress and the monitoring system of

FIG. 1 shown in an occupied occupational status with a user being in a supine position;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mattress and the monitoring system of FIG. 1 shown in the occupied occupational status of FIG. 6;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mattress and the monitoring system of FIG. 1 shown in an occupied occupational status with the user being in a seated position;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram view of the mattress of FIG. 1 and two monitoring modules of the monitoring system of FIG. 1, with the mattress being shown in a first orientation; and

[0019] FIG. 10 is a block diagram view similar to the view of FIG. 9, but with the mattress and the monitoring modules shown in a second orientation that is inverted with respect to the first orientation.

Detailed Description

[0020] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. [0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a mattress 100 includes a monitoring system 104 having a plurality of electrically interconnected (wired or wireless) miniature monitoring modules 108 (twelve of the eighteen monitoring modules are shown in FIG. 1). As described herein, the monitoring system 104 continuously monitors the status and condition of the mattress 100 to enable (i) automatic detection of mattress occupation, (ii) detection of mattress orientation, and (iii) mattress condition analysis based on occupational status, posture, and usage data collected over time. As a result a user is able to easily, quickly, and accurately determine the condition of the mattress 100.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 2, the mattress 100 further includes a surface layer 112, a sensor layer 116, a core layer 120, another sensor layer 124, and another surface layer 128. The surface layers 112, 128, which are also known as upholstered layers, are padded layers that provide a comfortable sleeping or resting surface. The surface layers 112, 128 include a padded material of the type desired by those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, cotton batting, fiberfill, latex, viscoelastic, and polyurethane foams. In another embodiment, the mattress 100 includes only one surface layer 112; accordingly, only one side of the mattress is suitable for sleeping and resting.

[0023] The sensor layer 116 is positioned between the surface layer 112 and the core layer 120, and the sensor layer 124 is positioned between the surface layer 128 and the core layer 120. The sensor layers 116, 124 are formed from a material (or materials) that enable water vapor, heat energy, acoustic energy, and electromagnetic radiation to be received by the monitoring modules 108, which are positioned in (or on) the sensor layers. In one embodiment, the sensor layers 116, 124 (or a portion thereof) are configured to be removable from the mattress 100 to enable a user to physically access the monitor system 104. [0024] The core layer 120 is positioned between the surface layers 112, 128 and between the sensor layers 116, 124. The core layer 120 includes coil springs 132 which are configured to support a user of the mattress 100. In another embodiment, instead of the coil springs 132, the core layer 120 includes any resilient support material as desired by those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to air, cotton batting, fiberfill, latex, viscoelastic, and polyurethane foam.

[0025] The monitoring modules 108 are supported by the mattress 100 and are located beneath the surface layer 112. In particular, the monitoring modules 108 are positioned in or on the sensor layers 116, 124 in a grid, array, or matrix arrangement that encompasses most of the area of the surface layers 112, 128. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the sensor layer 116 includes a 3x3 array of the modules 108 and the sensor layer 124 includes a 3x3 array (only three of the modules are shown for clarity) of the modules 108. The modules 108 each include a housing that is approximately 5x5x2 centimeters. In other embodiments, the modules 108 include a housing that is smaller than the described dimensions.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, each monitoring module 108 includes a thermometer 136, an accelerometer 140, a microphone 144, a humidity sensor 148, a timer 152, a memory unit 156 supported by the mattress 100 and configured to store program instructions, and a data connectivity module 160, each of which is connected to a control unit 164.

[0027] The thermometer 136 includes a temperature sensor that is configured sense an internal temperature of the mattress 100 and a temperature of a user of the mattress. The temperature range that the thermometer 136 is configured to sense ranges from approximately 60° F to 120° F. In one embodiment, the thermometer 136 includes a thermistor and the associated electronic circuitry that is commonly used to generate an electrical signal based on the temperature sensed by the thermistor. In another embodiment, the thermometer 136 includes any type of temperature sensor, as desired by those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the thermometer 136 is further configured to detect a sweat level of a user and then to transmit the sensed signal to the control unit 164.

[0028] The accelerometer 140 includes a single-axis accelerometer that is used to sense an angular orientation of the monitoring module 108 with respect to a reference plane, typically the floor. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the accelerometer 140 is configured to generate an electrical signal that is based on the acceleration and the angular orientation of the monitoring module 108 with which it is associated.

[0029] The microphone 144 includes a transducer configured to convert an acoustic signal to an electrical signal. The microphone 144 is positioned to receive sound waves near the monitoring module 108 with which it is associated. In at least one embodiment, the microphone 144 is configured to sense acoustic signals in a frequency range that associated with the sound made by a person using the mattress 100. The microphone 144 includes any transducer / microphone device as desired by those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the microphone 144 is further configured to detect foreign objects such as insects or pests in the mattress 100.

[0030] The humidity sensor 148, also referred to as a hydrometer, is configured to sense a moisture level of the interior of the mattress 100 and to convert the sensed moisture level to an electrical signal. The humidity sensor 148 includes any hydrometer as desired by those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, capacitive, resistive, and thermal conductivity humidity sensors. In some embodiments, the humidity sensor 136 is configured to detect a sweat level of a user and then to transmit the sensed signal to the control unit 164. [0031] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the timer 152 includes a computer timer that is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a measured time interval. The timer 152 includes any type of computer/electronic timer as desired by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0032] The control unit 164 is supported by the mattress 100 and includes a processor configured to execute program instructions (i.e. run software) for operating the components operably connected thereto, such as the memory 156, the monitoring modules 108 including the thermometer 136, the accelerometer 140, the microphone 144, the humidity sensor 148, and the timer 152. In one particular embodiment, the control unit 164 includes a processor having a state engine that is configured to detect and store the occupational status of the mattress 100. Additionally, the control unit 164 is configured to send and receive data from the internet 168 and from each other monitoring module 108 via the data connectivity module 160.

[0033] A power supply (not shown) supplies each monitoring module 108 with electrical power. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a battery, and in another embodiment, the power supply is a corded unit that receives electrical power from a typical wall outlet. In another embodiment, each of the monitoring modules 108 includes its own power supply, which is either corded or battery powered.

[0034] In operation, the monitoring system 104 continually determines in real time the condition and the occupational status of the mattress 100, according to the method 400 depicted in FIG. 4. As shown in block 404, when the mattress 100 is void of a user, the monitoring system 104 determines that that the mattress is in a vacant occupational status.

[0035] In block 408 and with reference to FIG. 5, one way that the monitoring system

104 makes this determination is by evaluating the orientation of each monitoring module 108 using the accelerometers 140. In particular, the monitoring system 108 determines that if the orientation (as represented by the angles α, B, γ) of each accelerometer 140 is below an angular disposition threshold, then a user is not present on the mattress 100 and the mattress is in the vacant occupational status. This is because the weight of a user tends to cause at least one of the monitoring modules 108 (and its associated accelerometer 140) to have an orientation that corresponds to an angle that is greater than the angular threshold. In one embodiment, the angular disposition threshold is approximately 10 degrees. The monitoring system 104 also determines that the mattress 100 is in the vacant occupational status by processing the temperature sensed by the thermometer 136, the noise level sensed by the microphone 144, and the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor 148. Typically, the vacant occupational status corresponds to a temperature below a temperature threshold, a noise level below a noise level threshold, and a humidity level below a humidity threshold.

[0036] In block 408, the monitoring system 104 continues to monitor the angular disposition of the monitoring modules 108 to detect if a user is present on the mattress, thereby signaling a change in the occupational status of the mattress 100. As shown in FIGs. 6 and 7 when a user U is present on the mattress 100 in the lying position (i.e prone or supine positions), some of the monitoring modules 108a, 108c are moved to an angular orientation that exceeds the angular disposition threshold. In particular, the monitoring modules 108a are each moved to approximately the same angle al, a2, a3, the monitoring modules 108b each remain generally horizontal Bl, B2, B3, and the monitoring modules 108c are each moved to approximately the same angle γΐ, γ2, γ3. When the control unit 164 senses this posture data from the accelerometers 140 it detects that the angular disposition threshold has been exceeded and then determines that a change in the occupational status has occurred and that user U is present on the mattress 100 in either the prone position or the supine position. Additionally, occupational status data associated with the detected first change is stored in the memory 156. The occupational status data may include angular disposition data based on the angular disposition of the accelerometers 140 of the modules 108 as well as posture data of an occupant using the mattress.

[0037] When determining if the angular disposition threshold has been exceeded, the control unit 164 is also configured to detect a user U in the fetal position. The fetal position results in a data set from the monitoring modules 108 that is similar to the data set produced by a user in the supine or prone positions, but with higher angular differences, since the shoulders and hips sink deeper into the mattress 100, adding strain and reducing the useful life of the mattress.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8, when determining if the angular disposition threshold has been exceeded in block 408, the monitoring system 104 is further configured to determine if a user U is present on the mattress 100 in seated position. When seated on the mattress 100 some of the monitoring modules 108 are moved to an angular orientation that exceeds the angular disposition threshold. In particular, the modules 108a are moved such that al > a2 > a3 and the modules 108c are moved such that γΐ > γ2 > γ3. When a user U is in the seated position, the modules 108b remain generally horizontal.

[0039] The method 400 progresses to block 412, if in block 408 the control unit 164 determines that at least some of the monitoring modules 108 have been moved to an orientation in which the angular disposition threshold has been exceeded. In block 412 the control unit 164 starts the occupancy timer 152, which counts upward from zero.

[0040] In block 416, the orientation/position of the user U, as determined by the control unit 164, is recorded in the memory 156 as an occupational event and becomes associated with the time span being counted by the timer 152. [0041] In block 420 the mattress 100 is occupied by the user U and the timer 152 continues to increment.

[0042] In block 424 the control unit 164 determines if the monitoring modules 108 are in approximately same position as they were when the angular disposition threshold was exceeded in block 408. If the monitoring modules 108 are in approximately the same position, then the occupational event continues and the method 400 remains at block 420. If the monitoring modules 108 indicate a different angular orientation, then the user U may have shifted positions or exited the mattress 100. Accordingly, if in block 424 the monitoring modules 108 indicate that the angular disposition is significantly changed or that the angular disposition threshold is no longer being exceeded, then the method 400 detects a second change in the occupational status of the mattress 100 and advances to block 428. Occupational status data, including angular disposition data of the modules 108, associated with the detected second change may be stored in the memory 156.

[0043] In block 428, in response to detecting the second change in the occupational status of the mattress 100, the control unit 164 stops incrementing the timer 152. The occupancy time data of the timer 152 as measured from a start time to a stop time indicates the time that the user U was present on the mattress 100 in a particular position during the occupational event recorded in block 416. The occupancy time data is stored in the memory 156.

[0044] In block 432, the data set associated with the occupational event, including the elapsed time span and the position of the user U are stored in the memory 156.

[0045] The method 400 continues to blocks 404 and block 408. If the user U has exited the mattress 100 the method 400 remains in the vacant occupational status. If the user U has simply shifted positions on mattress 100, then the control unit 164 determines that the angular disposition threshold has been exceeded and a new occupational event is detected.

[0046] As shown in FIGs. 9 and 10, the monitoring system 104 is further operable to detect an orientation of the mattress 100. In particular, the monitoring system 104 uses at least one of the accelerometers 140 to determine when the mattress 100 has been "flipped." The term "flipped" refers to inverting the mattress 100 from the orientation shown in FIG. 9 to the orientation shown in FIG. 10, and also inverting the mattress from the orientation shown in FIG. 10 to the orientation shown in FIG. 9. The "flip state" of the mattress 100 is stored in the memory 156 so that the monitoring system 104 is able to associate the detected occupational events with a particular one of the surface layers 1 12, 128.

[0047] The monitoring system 104 uses the change in gravitational acceleration G, as detected by at least one of the accelerometers 140, to determine the change in mattress orientation. In FIG. 9, gravity G causes a sensed acceleration in an upward direction that results in, for example, a positive value of acceleration detected by the accelerometers 140. In FIG. 10, gravity G causes a sensed acceleration in the upward direction, but the acceleration results in, for example, a negative value of acceleration detected by the accelerations 140. By knowing the orientation of the mattress 100 that results in a particular polarity of acceleration, the monitoring system 104 is able to determine which side of the mattress 100 is being used by the user U and which side of the matters is pointed toward the floor. No information regarding the placement of the accelerometers 140 within the mattress 100 is required to determine the orientation of the mattress.

[0048] The monitoring system 104 is useful for determining numerous factors related to the condition and status of the mattress 100. Some exemplary conditions and statuses that the monitoring system 104 is configured to determine include the current occupational status of the mattress 100, the current orientation of the mattress, the total time of mattress use, total time of mattress use per side, the estimated remaining lifetime of the mattress as a relation of total use time to a predefined useful lifespan specified by the manufacturer of the mattress or by the user, the internal mattress humidity over time, the internal mattress temperature over time, fraction of sleeping time verses total mattress use time, the total time of mattress usage on one side in excess of a preconfigured time limit, the time that a humidity level has exceeded a preconfigured threshold over a preconfigured time limit, the total mattress usage per occupational event / posture position, deterioration of material, and potential breeding grounds for fungi, insects, and the like.

[0049] After storing the data associated with the above-described conditions and statuses in the memory 156, the monitoring system 104 uses the data connectivity module 160 to transmit the data to the internet 168 or to a device that is networked (wired or wireless) with the monitoring system on a local area network. Accordingly, the data collected by the monitoring system 104 is viewable and usable anywhere in the world that an internet connection is available. Exemplary devices for viewing the data include personal computers and other graphical user interface ("GUI") devices.

[0050] Additionally, the data collected by the monitoring system 104 is viewable by an user/owner of the mattress 100, on a personal computer or a handheld device (e.g. tablets and smart phones). Furthermore, the data collected by the monitoring system 104 is displayable and usable on home and building automation system, logistics systems, and security systems.

[0051] The data collected by the monitoring system 104 illustrates an example of the

Internet of Things in which it is possible to make statements about the condition or usage patterns of any connected "thing." Exacting the status and condition information related to the mattress is useful for any industry utilizing mattresses in their business model, such as hotels, nursing homes, and furniture showrooms. The information is also valuable to the owner of the mattress and the manufacturer of the mattress.

[0052] The monitoring system 104 is a cost effective and integrated method to determine the usage of the mattress 100. Since people spend almost one third of their lifetime on mattresses, cost of effective monitoring of the condition of the mattress 100 is important and relevant to anybody using a mattress. The mattress 100 should be replaced when the condition of the mattress is considerably different from the condition when the mattress was new, a period of typically 5 to 10 years. Changes in body composition and lifestyle (sleeping more or less, sitting on the mattress to read or watch television) also affects the longevity of the mattress 100.

[0053] In another embodiment of the monitoring system 104, the monitoring system includes several of the monitoring modules 108, but only includes one control unit 164, one data connectivity module 160, and one memory 156, which are each located in one of the monitoring modules. This configuration potentially reduces the cost to produce the monitoring system 104, while preserving all of the functionality of the monitoring system.

[0054] In yet another embodiment, the monitoring system 104 includes only one of the monitoring modules 108. The monitoring module 108 includes a three-axis accelerometer in order to determine when the mattress 100 has received a user. Additionally, dynamic accelerometer information is usable to detect the motion of human bodies on the mattress 100.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the mattress 100 and the monitoring system 104, the monitoring system is configured to discriminate among various activities taking place on the mattress and then adjust the remaining lifetime data accordingly. For example, the monitoring system 104 is configured to detect the presence of children jumping on the mattress 100, and then adjust the remaining lifetime of the mattress accordingly, since the jumping may shorten the lifespan of the mattress, more so than simply sleeping on the mattress for same time period. The monitoring system 104 is further configured to detect any other activity that commonly occurs on a mattress and to adjust the lifespan of the mattress 100 accordingly.

[0056] The monitoring system 104 is usable in virtually any object or product including seats, garments (such as jackets, gloves, shoes, and pants), foam mattresses, and any other product that a user desires to monitor. The monitoring system 104 monitors the status and/or the condition of any product with which it is associated.

[0057] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

What is claimed is: Claim 1. A mattress and a monitoring system comprising:

at least one surface layer of a mattress;

at least one monitoring module supported by the mattress and located beneath the at least one surface layer;

a memory supported by the mattress and including program instructions; and

a processor supported by the mattress and operably connected to the at least one monitoring module and the memory, the processor configured to execute the program

instructions to

detect a first change in an occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module, and

store occupational status data associated with the detected first change in the memory.

Claim 2. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

detect a second change in the occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module; and

store occupational status data associated with the detected second change in the memory.

Claim 3. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

start an occupancy timer at a start time in response to detecting the first change;

stop the occupancy timer at an end time in response to detecting the second change; and store occupancy time data in the memory based on the start time and the end time.

Claim 4. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

store total lifetime data of the mattress in the memory; and

determine remaining lifetime data of the mattress based on the occupancy time data and the stored total lifetime data.

Claim 5. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

monitor an angular disposition of an accelerometer included in the at least one monitoring module to detect the first change and the second change.

Claim 6. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

store angular disposition data based on the angular disposition of the accelerometer in the memory; and

determine an orientation of the mattress based on the stored angular disposition data.

Claim 7. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

determine posture data of an occupant using the mattress based on the angular disposition data; and

store the posture data in the memory.

Claim 8. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the posture data includes lying position data and seated position data.

Claim 9. The mattress and the monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

monitor a signal from at least one of a temperature sensor, a microphone, and a humidity sensor included in the at least one monitoring module to detect the first change.

Claim 10. A method of monitoring a mattress comprising:

supporting at least one monitoring module beneath a surface layer of a mattress;

supporting a memory with the mattress;

detecting a first change in an occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module; and

storing occupational status data associated with the detected first change in the memory.

Claim 11. The method of monitoring a mattress of claim 10, further comprising: detecting a second change in the occupational status of the mattress using the at least one monitoring module; and

storing occupational status data associated with the detected second change in the memory.

Claim 12. The method of monitoring a mattress of claim 11, further comprising:

starting an occupancy timer at a start time in response to detecting the first change;

stop the occupancy timer at an end time in response to detecting the second change; and storing occupancy time data in the memory based on the start time and the end time.

Claim 13. The method of monitoring a mattress of claim 12, further comprising:

storing total lifetime data of the mattress in the memory; and

determining remaining lifetime data of the mattress based on the occupancy time data and the stored total lifetime data.

Claim 14. The method of monitoring a mattress of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring an angular disposition of an accelerometer included in the at least one monitoring module to detect the first change and the second change.

Claim 15. The method of monitoring a mattress of claim 14, further comprising:

determining posture data of an occupant using the mattress based on the angular disposition data; and storing the posture data in the memory,

wherein the posture data includes lying position data and seated position data.

Claim 16. A monitoring system for monitoring an object comprising:

at least one monitoring module supported by an object to be monitored;

a memory supported by the object to be monitored and including program instructions; and

a processor supported by the object to be monitored and operably connected to the at least one monitoring module and the memory, the processor configured to execute the program instructions to

detect a first change in a status of the object to be monitored using the at least one monitoring module, and

store status data associated with the detected first change in the memory.

Claim 17. The monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

detect a second change in the status of the object to be monitored using the at least one monitoring module; and

store status data associated with the detected second change in the memory.

Claim 18. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

start a timer at a start time in response to detecting the first change; stop the timer at an end time in response to detecting the second change; and store time data in the memory based on the start time and the end time.

Claim 19. The monitoring system of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to:

store total lifetime data of the object to be monitored in the memory; and

determine remaining lifetime data of the object to be monitored based on the time data and the stored total lifetime data.

Claim 20. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program instructions to: