CH715474A2 - Method of broadcasting by a watch an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of broadcasting by a watch an informative message relating to an evaluation of the sleep quality of a wearer of said watch, the method comprising the following steps: recording (10) by a processing unit of descriptive data of at least one event episode of at least one type of environmental event observed during a sleep period of the wearer; identification (11) of at least one type of environmental event disturbing the wearer's sleep from processing said descriptive data; estimation (16) of an evaluation index of the sleep quality of the wearer as a function of a sleep disturbance indicator of each type of environmental disturbing sleep event identified, and conception (17) of the informative message comprising evaluation index estimated in anticipation of its distribution to the wearer.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method of broadcasting by a watch an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch and a system implementing such a method.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a system and a computer program.

Prior art

Sleep is a state during which the body of an individual is restored, for example by defending against infections or by manufacturing hormones. The quality of this sleep directly affects our mental, moral and physical health. In such a context, we understand that it is important to be able to assess the quality of an individual's sleep in order to be able to improve it if necessary.

To do this, we know in the state of the art methods providing for carrying out an evaluation of the quality of sleep of an individual by the implementation of a processing of measurement data generally coming from sensors. movement or physiological sensors.

However, one of the major drawbacks of such methods is linked to the fact that the evaluation of the quality of sleep proposed is often imprecise or even erroneous because it is carried out using measurement data which is sometimes difficult to obtain and which does not are not always directly related to conditions related to sleep quality.

It is understood that there is a need to find an alternative solution, in particular which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method of broadcasting by a watch an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep which is reliable and simple to implement.

In this design, the invention relates to a method of broadcasting by a watch an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch, the method comprising the following steps: recording by the descriptive data processing unit of at least one event episode of at least one type of environmental event noted during a period of sleep of the wearer; identification of at least one type of environmental sleep disturbance event for the wearer from processing said descriptive data; estimation of an index for evaluating the sleep quality of the wearer as a function of a sleep disturbance indicator of each type of environmental disturbing sleep event identified, and design of the informative message including the estimated evaluation index in anticipation of its distribution to the wearer.

In other embodiments: <tb> - <SEP> the identification step comprises a sub-step of selecting one or more event episodes relating to each type of environmental event noted during the wearer's sleep period from at least a selection criterion; <tb> - <SEP> a first selection criterion provides that at least one environmental measure of the descriptive data of each event episode relating to each type of environmental event is compared with a reference threshold for sleep disturbance; <tb> - <SEP> a second selection criterion consists in comparing a duration of each event episode relating to each type of environmental event with a reference threshold of duration of sleep disturbance; <tb> - <SEP> the identification step comprises a sub-step of generating a sleep disturbance indicator for each type of identified sleep disturbing environmental event; <tb> - <SEP> the generation sub-step includes a phase for calculating the sleep disturbance indicator for each type of sleep disturbing environmental event identified on the basis of the following descriptive characteristics: <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> an average value of the environmental measure or measures included in the descriptive data of the selected event episodes relating to this type of environmental event; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a total duration of this type of environmental event; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> the number of selected event episodes for this type of environmental event; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> the start and end times of the selected event episodes for this type of environmental event.

The invention also relates to a system for broadcasting by a watch an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch implementing such a method, the system comprising the following elements linked together: a processing unit, at least one environmental sensor and an interface for broadcasting visual and / or audio information.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a system.

Advantageously, the watch is a connected mechanical watch.

The invention further relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of this method when said program is executed by a processing unit.

Brief description of the figures

Other features and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a watch comprising a system for broadcasting an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of the wearer of said watch, according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a flow diagram relating to a method of broadcasting this informative message, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

FIG. 1 shows a watch 100 comprising the diffusion system 1 by this watch 100 of an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch 100. Such a system 1 is included in watch 100 which is preferably a mechanical watch 100 connected to a hybrid display. This system 1 comprises more precisely in a non-limiting and / or non-exhaustive manner: a processing unit 2 comprising hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements; an interface for broadcasting visual information 3 such as a hybrid display dial provided with a first analog display component and with a second digital and / or alphanumeric display component; an interface for broadcasting sound information 4 such as a speaker; a communication interface; at least one environmental sensor 5; at least one behavioral sensor 6, and at least one physiological sensor 7.

In this system 1, the processing unit 2 is connected inter alia to the interfaces for broadcasting visual and sound information and to the environmental 5, behavioral 6, and physiological 7 sensors.

The system 1 in this watch 100 is capable of evaluating the quality of the wearer's sleep preferably only on the basis of at least one type of environmental event recorded during a sleep period of the wearer. Each type of event noted is quantified on the basis of at least one event episode which is specific to it and which takes place during the sleep period of the wearer. Each event episode is characterized by descriptive data including in particular one or more measurements of an environmental parameter. This environmental parameter is a quantity relative to a characteristic of the environment in which the watch 100 and its wearer are present. Such a parameter is non-limiting and / or non-exhaustive relating to: a temperature, a hygrometry, an ambient noise level, an atmospheric pressure, an illumination, a movement, the air quality, etc.

By way of example, when the parameter corresponds to a "noise level", an event episode is defined by the following descriptive data: one or more measurements of this noise level are determined by at least one suitable environmental sensor 5 and transmitted to the processing unit 2; the duration of the course of the event episode which is calculated by the processing unit 2 and is for example 10 minutes, and the start time 10 am and the end time 10 hours 10 minutes are determined by the processing unit 2.

We understand that at this stage this environmental event is linked to a "noise level", and that for this type of event several episodes with different descriptive data can then be estimated during the sleep period. Subsequently, according to the method described later, if this type of environmental event is considered to be disruptive to the wearer's sleep, it then becomes a "noise nuisance".

In this context, the environmental sensors 5 are specifically adapted to measure these environmental parameters. As we will see below, the other behavioral 6 and physiological sensors 7 participate in the realization of measurements which can be used optionally by the processing unit 2 within the framework of the evaluation of the sleep quality of the wearer. . The behavioral sensors 6 are capable of measuring all types of behavioral characteristics of the wearer of the watch 100 such as, for example, the movements or gestures made by the latter during the sleep period. To do this, these behavioral sensors 6 can include one or more inertial sensors of the accelerometer, gyroscope or miniature multi-axis gyrometer type such as multi-axis sensors manufactured in MEMS technology, capable of detecting angular speeds and linear accelerations along several axes associating accelerometers and / or gyroscopes. With regard to the physiological sensors 7, they are able to measure the parameters relating to the functioning of a body of the carrier such as, for example, the pulse, the saturation of the blood with oxygen, the impedance of the skin, the blood pressure , respiratory rate, respiratory arrhythmia, skin temperature, sweating rate, blood oxygen saturation or blood flow.

Such a system 1 of the watch 100 is capable of implementing a method of broadcasting by the watch 100 of this informative message shown in FIG. 2.

This method comprises a step of recording 10 by the processing unit 2 of descriptive data of at least one event episode of at least one type of environmental event noted during a sleep period of the wearer. During this step 10, upon detection of the start of the wearer's sleep period until the end of this period, the descriptive data of one or more event episodes of at least one type of environmental event are archived in the memory elements of the processing unit 2 of the watch 100. These descriptive data of each event episode include in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner: one or more environmental measurements determined by the corresponding sensors 5 and transmitted to the processing unit 2; the duration of the event episode which is calculated by the processing unit 2, and the start and end times of the episode which are determined by the processing unit 2.

Note that the creation of an episode is linked to the identification by the processing unit 2 of a variation of an environmental parameter relating to a corresponding type of environmental event.

In this context, the start of the sleep period can be determined from a light measurement from an environmental sensor 5 such as a luxmeter. Thus, the start time of the sleep period can be identified as soon as a low light condition is then determined by the processing unit 2, for example when the light measurement transmitted by the sensor 5 is lower. at a reference light intensity threshold for a determined time interval. Alternatively, the start of the sleep period can be detected from physiological measurement data of the wearer and / or behavioral measurement data from the wearer. For example, the processing unit 2 can determine the start time of this sleep period when the behavioral sensor 6, for example the inertial sensor, indicates that the user is motionless for a determined period of time. In a variant, the processing unit 2 can use additional information such as the time of day and an estimate of the wearer's circadian rhythm. For example, the sleep start time can be detected only during a specific time of the day, when the wearer is expected to fall asleep. Similarly, the end of the sleep period can be determined on the basis of an illumination measurement, as soon as a strong lighting condition is then determined by the processing unit 2, for example when the the illumination measurement transmitted by the sensor 5 is greater than the reference light intensity threshold for a determined time interval. Alternatively, the processing unit 2 can estimate the end of the sleep period, for example, when the behavioral measurement data relating to the potential movement of the wearer indicates that he has got up.

The method then comprises a step of identifying 11 of at least one type of environmental event disturbing the wearer's sleep from a processing of said descriptive data. To do this, this step 11 comprises a sub-step for selecting 12 one or more event episodes relating to each type of environmental event noted during the sleep period of the wearer on the basis of at least one selection criterion. According to a first selection criterion, at least one environmental measure of the descriptive data of each event episode relating to each type of environmental event is compared with a reference threshold for sleep disturbance. If said at least one measurement is greater than the sleep disturbance reference threshold, then the episode can then be selected or preselected when the conditions of this selection are linked to the verification of a second selection criterion. This second selection criterion consists in comparing the duration of each episode relating to each type of environmental event with a reference threshold of duration of sleep disturbance. In this context, if the duration of the episode is greater than the sleep disturbance duration reference threshold, then the episode is selected.

The identification step 11 then comprises a sub-step of detection 13 of one or more types of environmental disturbing sleep events of the wearer of the watch 100 and this, from the event episodes which have been selected . This sub-step can provide for a given type of environmental event that the number of episodes of this event must be greater than a reference threshold to be detected.

Thereafter, the identification step 11 comprises a substage of generation 14 of a sleep disturbance indicator for each type of detected disturbing sleep disturbing environmental event. This sub-step 14 includes a phase 15 of calculating the sleep disturbance indicator for each type of sleep disturbing environmental event identified on the basis of descriptive characteristics. These descriptive characteristics of each type of identified sleep disruptive environmental event are as follows: an average value of the environmental measure (s) included in the descriptive data for the selected event episodes; the total duration of the course of this type of environmental disturbing sleep event during the sleep period of the wearer of the watch 100 which is equal to the sum of the durations of the selected event episodes; the number of event episodes selected; the start and end times of the selected event episodes which make it possible to assess their effect / impact on the disturbance of sleep cycles. Indeed, the wearer's sleep period includes a succession of cycles with phases of slow sleep, especially at the start of the night, which allows the body to recover physically, and REM sleep which corresponds to when the wearer dreams and where he releases his nervous tension.

It will be noted that the calculation of the sleep disturbance indicator is carried out as a function of one or more of these descriptive characteristics.

In addition, such an identification step 11 can be implemented at the end of the sleep period or simultaneously with the recording step 10 that is to say from the start of this sleep period.

The method then comprises an estimation step 16 of an index for evaluating the quality of this sleep as a function of the sleep disturbance indicator of each type of identified sleep disturbing environmental event. During this step 16, the processing unit 2 determines the index for evaluating the quality of this sleep by calculating an average value of the sleep disturbance indicator (s) obtained during the generation sub-step 14. During of this calculation the coefficients can be applied to certain indicators depending on the nature of the type of the disturbing sleep environmental event to which they relate. Indeed, certain types of events can have a greater impact than others on sleep disturbance.

It will optionally be noted that physiological and / or behavioral measurement data carried out during the event episodes can also be taken into account in the calculation of this index.

Then, the method comprises a design step 17 of the informative message comprising the estimated evaluation index in anticipation of its distribution to the wearer. Such an informative message can be an audio message or a visual message comprising a two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphic representation including the index. This message can include, in addition to the sleep quality evaluation index, a recommendation for the wearer of the watch 100 relating to an attitude (or behavior) to adopt to improve this quality of sleep which is defined. depending on the value of this index and therefore on the level of the evaluated quality of sleep.

Note that the method can also provide a step during which the wearer can share his sleep assessment by choosing from a context menu displayed in a second display component of the dial, a criterion relating to the qualification of the sleep from a list of criteria comprising for example the following mentions: a good night / sleep, a restful night / sleep, a painful night / sleep, etc.

This step then provides for archiving of this evaluation by the wearer of the watch in the form of data, the processing of which by the processing unit can make it possible to improve the accuracy of the evaluation of sleep by the present methods and system.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps 10 to 17 of this method when said program is executed by the processing unit 2 of the watch 100.

Claims (10)

1. Method for broadcasting by a watch (100) an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch (100), the method comprising the following steps: - Recording (10) by the processing unit (2) of descriptive data of at least one event episode of at least one type of environmental event noted during a sleep period of the wearer; - Identification (11) of at least one type of environmental event disturbing the wearer's sleep from processing said descriptive data; - estimation (16) of an evaluation index of the sleep quality of the wearer as a function of a sleep disturbance indicator of each type of environmental disturbing sleep event identified, and - design (17) of the informative message including the estimated evaluation index in anticipation of its distribution to the wearer. 2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the identification step (11) comprises a selection sub-step (12) of one or more event episodes relating to each type of environmental event noted during the sleep period of the wearer based on at least one selection criterion. 3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a first selection criterion provides that at least one environmental measurement of the descriptive data of each event episode relating to each type of environmental event is compared with a reference disturbance threshold some sleep. 4. Method according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that a second selection criterion consists in comparing a duration of each event episode relating to each type of environmental event with a reference threshold of duration of disturbance some sleep. 5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification step (11) comprises a substep for generating (14) a sleep disturbance indicator for each type of environmental event sleep disturbance identified. 6. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the generation sub-step (14) comprises a phase (15) of calculation of the sleep disturbance indicator for each type of environmental disturbing sleep event identified from of the following descriptive characteristics: - an average value of the environmental measure or measures included in the descriptive data of the selected event episodes relating to this type of environmental event; - a total duration of this type of environmental event; - the number of selected event episodes for this type of environmental event; - start and end times of selected event episodes of this type of environmental event. 7. System for broadcasting (1) by a watch (100) an informative message relating to an evaluation of the quality of sleep of a wearer of said watch (100) implementing the method according to any one of claims previous, the system (1) comprising the following elements linked together: a processing unit (2), at least one environmental sensor (5) and an interface for broadcasting visual and / or audio information (3, 4) . 8. Watch (100) comprising a system (1) according to the preceding claim. 9. Watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is a connected mechanical watch (100). 10. Computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps (10 to 17) of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when said program is executed by a processing unit (2).