| abstract |
A system and method is provided for thermally conditioning a sleep environment and managing skin temperature of a user. The thermal system and method include a heat exchanger and controller configured to conductively cool and heat a user during sleep and at other times. The thermal system provides for management of skin temperature of a user, such that sleep comfort and/or quality may be improved, and the thermal system may take advantage of reduced sensitivity of a sleeper during deep sleep for more aggressive thermal manipulation of skin temperature via the conductive cooling. In addition, the thermal system may be further configured to condition the sleep environment when the user is not present based on pre-sleep or maintenance considerations. |