GB2594439A

GB2594439A - Wearable hydration reminder

Info

Publication number: GB2594439A
Application number: GB2000657.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Emmett Christopher; Liam Martin James; Virgo Rasseeda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-01-16
Filing date: 2020-01-16
Publication date: 2021-11-03
Also published as: GB202000657D0

Abstract

A wearable hydration reminder device that monitors movement at certain time intervals and activates a vibrating alarm to remind the user to drink water if movement is detected. A motion sensor or accelerometer may be utilised to detect motion changes and a temperature sensor may detect temperature variations that determine the length of time that may be appropriate. The device may also utilise a sleep mode for times of inactivity, be integrated into an accessory or be intuitive and simple to set up with no buttons present.

Description

This invention relates to a wearable device for reminding individuals, primarily children, to drink water. The reminder device monitors a user's movement and if movement is detected at certain time intervals it activates a vibrating alarm to remind the user to drink water.

Children often rely on a parent/carer to remind them to drink water. However, it is commonly accepted that adults themselves forget to hydrate regularly and can therefore not be relied upon to remind children. This problem is increased when children are not in the company of their parents/carers such as when they are at school.

To help stay physically and mentally fit, it is commonly recommended that children should be drinking 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day. Dehydration, even if only mild, can cause tiredness, headaches, lack of concentration and reduced mental performance. It is also reported that children don't always recognise the early stages of thirst, which can make them particularly vulnerable to becoming dehydrated.

This invention is suitable for all adults and children. The device's simple operation discreetly prompts the user to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day to remind the user to stay hydrated and help develop good drinking habits for life.

Drinking water is an act of personal self-control. The correct water intake volumes can differ between individuals depending on variables such as age, size and daily physical activity meaning there is no standard or normal amount a person should drink per day. It is therefore important that people develop positive, healthy habits which are generally considered easier to instil at an early age. Considering these individual needs, it is hoped that the invention of a hydration reminder device which uses regular discreet prompts to remind users to drink will encourage users to drink water appropriately, and the hope is that after long-term use, users will develop good, healthy drinking habits for life.

The main purpose of this invention is to provide a hydration reminder device which encourages users to drink water regularly throughout the day to help maintain physical and mental health by means of a device that activates itself based on a user's individual movement. The automatic movement detection and activation means there is no device set-up required by the user.

To ensure a user's movement is detected by the device and that the user will notice the discreet, vibrating reminders, the device will need to be worn close to a user's body in wearable items such as a wristband or necklace. The removal aspect of the invention is important as it allows the battery within the device to be accessed and also allows the device to be placed within various wearable items of different formats, sizes and colours. This flexibility will help maximise product engagement and longevity.

A further purpose of incorporating the hydration reminder device within a wearable item is that the user does not need to have a specific type of water container. The user can drink from any type of water container such as a cup or portable bottle.

A key purpose of this invention is to provide a hydration reminder device that is so simple to operate that it can be used by anyone in the world. The user can simply wear the device and it will automatically remind the user to drink water at regular time intervals as long as the device registers movement. To ensure the device adapts to each individual's daily routine and time zone, if the device does not register movement, it will not provide a vibrating reminder alarm. This means the device will only provide reminders when a user is awake and moving which will avoid users being disturbed by reminders during rest and sleep, such as during the nighttime. After any period of inactive movement, once the device is picked up, such as in the morning, the device will activate the vibrating reminder alarm and then continue its optimal hydration timer alarm cycle.

The optimal hydration alarm cycle is based on the alarm being activated eight times during a user's average day when they are awake and moving. The optimal hydration cycle operates at pre determined time intervals. In addition, the hydration reminder device can also monitor a user's individual movement using an accelerometer and adjust the alarm reminder time intervals accordingly i.e if the accelerometer detects a period of certain increased movement levels, such as exercise, it will shorten the time interval to the next hydration reminder alarm. In addition, the hydration reminder device can also monitor temperature using a temperature sensor and adjust the alarm reminder time intervals accordingly i.e if the temperature sensor detects a certain temperature, such as on a hot day, it will shorten the time interval to the next hydration reminder alarm.

A key benefit of the automatic movement detection activating the alarms is that the device does not require an interface, display or settings buttons. This means the device cannot be set up incorrectly or altered accidently by the user at any time. The optimal hydration alarm cycle provides consistently regular reminder alarms throughout the day. The device is first activated when the paper battery tab is removed.

The device only provides the user with a reminder to drink water, it does not force the user to take a drink of water. Once the discreet reminder vibrations have been activated, they will last for a short, set period of time before stopping and the device will then continue with its optimal hydration alarm cycle regardless of whether or not the user has decided a drink of water is appropriate.

The hydration reminder comprises a two-part housing accommodating an electronic control circuit with a timer, a motion sensor, a vibrating alarm and a battery. For battery accessibility there is a removable hatch held securely in place by a fastening element.

The hydration reminder functions according to several logic states. The Countdown state, the Remind state, the Detect state. The method of operation and how the logic states relate are described below: Once the paper battery tab is removed from the device the hydration reminder is activated for the first time and is in the Detect state where the motion sensor is detecting movement. If movement is detected, the hydration reminder switches to the Remind state where the vibrating alarm activates for a short, set period of time. Once the Remind states set period time has expired, the hydration reminder switches to the Countdown state where the timer starts counting down a pre-set time period. Once the time period of the Countdown state has expired, the hydration reminder switches to the Detect state where the motion sensor is detecting movement. If the motion sensor detects movement it switches to the Remind state and the cycle continues as previously described. If the motion sensor does not detect movement, it will continue to remain in the Detect state for an indefinite time period until any movement is detected and the logic state cycle continues as previously described.

Drawings The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1, shows the device from a top isometric view Figure 2, shows the device from a bottom isometric view Figure 3, shows the device inside a wearable wristband.

Figure 4, shows an electrical flow diagram of how the device functions.

In Figure 1, the device (1) is shown without any wearable accessory. The image shows the device has no interface, display or settings buttons.

In Figure 2, the device (2) has a hatch (3) allowing the user to access the battery by removing the fastening element (4). The paper battery tab (5) is removed to activate the device for the first time.

In Figure 3, the device (6) is shown inside a wearable wristband (7). The wristband has an internal pocket allowing the device to be removed. Removal of the device allows the battery within the device to be accessed. Removal of the device also allows the device to be placed within different wristband types or other wearable items.

In Figure 4, the electrical flow diagram illustrates that when the device first detects movement the vibration sensor activates the vibration alarm for a fixed time period. The timer will then count down a certain fixed time period and then check for movement. If movement is detected it will vibrate for a fixed period of time and then repeat the countdown of a certain fixed period of time. If the device cannot detect movement after the countdown, it will keep checking for movement.

As an example scenario, a user wakes up in the morning, picks up the wristband with hydration reminder device inside (Figure 3) and it vibrates. They then wear the wristband around all day long with it vibrating at optimal hydration time intervals. When the user goes to bed, they take the wristband off and put it down. The hydration reminder device wristband does not vibrate again until it detects movement.

Claims

Claims 1. A hydration reminder device which compromises a wearable item containing the hydration reminder device that monitors movement at certain time intervals which, if movement is detected, activates a vibrating alarm.
2. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device reminds users at optimal time intervals by means of a timer.
3. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device automatically detects movement by means of a motion sensor.
4. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device automatically records movement by means of an accelerometer and, if a certain level of movement is recorded, reduces the time interval to activate the vibrating alarm.
5. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device automatically detects temperature by means of a temperature sensor and, if a certain level of temperature is detected, reduces the time interval to activate the vibrating alarm.
6. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device automatically remains in a low power Detect state in the event of users inactivity.
7. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device is integrated into a wearable item by means of an accessory.
8. A hydration reminder device according to claim 1, in which the device requires no user set-up by means of having no interface or buttons.