SI25181A - A smart reminder to drink liquids and the procedure of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a reminder for drinking liquids, preferably water, which is attached to any container. At certain intervals, a reminder with an optical signal warns the user to drink liquid or water from the container. The smart reminder for drinking liquids according to the invention consists of a two-part housing in which electronic timing circuitry, accelerometer, illumination sensor, temperature sensor, light indicator and battery are located, and optionally a fastener. Accelerometer detects the acceleration and movement in x, y, and with the axis of not only the container to which the reminder is attached, but also detects the vibrations transmitted over the floor to the table and the container that the user is causing with movement in the presence of the container. These sensors are transferred from the accelerometer to a control circuit which, according to the algorithm, activates the logical state of the reminder and consequently the light indicator. The exposure sensor detects ambient light. An ambient light information is sent to an electronic control circuit which adequately controls the light indicator. The temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature information is transferred to an electronic control circuit, which, in accordance with the algorithm, regulates the time intervals of the activation of the light indicator.

Description

The invention relates to a reminder for drinking liquids, primarily water, which is attached to any container. At certain intervals, an optical signal reminder warns the user to drink liquid or water from the container.

Drinking water is important for health. It is advisable for an adult to drink at least a liter and a half of water during the day. Most people forget about it during the day and therefore drink too little water, which can be reflected in their well-being and health.

There are various smart bottles on the market that remind users in different ways that they need to drink water during the day to avoid dehydration, and optionally measure the amount of water they drink. A suitable electronic control circuit is located either in the bottle cap or in a specially designed stand or in the bottle wall. Currently known versions of the market require the mandatory use of a specific bottle / container.

A smart reminder for drinking liquids eliminates this imperfection, as it is designed to be mounted on any container, ie a bottle, a glass, a cup. Therefore, there is no need to buy a specific bottle and there is no need to carry the bottle with you at all times. It is enough for the user to have with them a smart reminder, which they always place on any container that is available at any given moment.

The smart liquor reminder of the invention consists of a two-piece housing housing an electronic timer control circuit, accelerometer, illumination sensor, temperature sensor, light indicator and battery, and an optional fastening strap.

The accelerometer is a very sensitive 3-axis accelerometer, which detects acceleration and motion in x, y and from the axes of not only the container to which the reminder is attached, but also detects vibrations transmitted across the floor to the table and the container that by moving in the presence of the container is caused by the user. These sensations are transmitted from the accelerometer to a control circuit, which, according to the algorithm, activates the logical states of the reminder and, consequently, the indicator light.

The ambient light sensor detects ambient light. Ambient light quantity information is sent to an electronic control circuit that controls the indicator light accordingly. For example, if the ambient light is lower, the light indicator is less bright.

The temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature information is transmitted to the electronic control circuit which, according to the algorithm, regulates the time intervals of the indicator light. For example, at higher ambient temperatures more frequent drinking of water is required, so the time interval is correspondingly shorter.

The light indicator is any light indicator that has the ability to regulate the light output and does not consume much energy for its operation and is controlled by the control circuit according to the algorithm. Preferably, the light indicator is a high-light LED.

The electronic control circuit receives information from the accelerometer, the illumination sensor, the temperature sensor and the timer and controls the operation of the light indicator by means of logical states using an algorithm. Preferably, the electronic control circuit is a 32-bit ARM microcontroller.

The battery is a button battery, preferably the battery is a standard CR2032 battery.

The housing is two-piece and consists of a cap and a body. The housing is made of semi-transparent plastic in at least one part so that the user can detect the optical signal, that is, the light emitted by the light indicator. The two-piece housing design makes it easy to replace the battery. On the back, the housing has a mounting element that secures the reminder to any container or strap. In the embodiment, the fastening element is designed as a tab and is an integral part of the housing cap. The fastening strap can be designed in any known manner, only allowing it to be fixed to the selected container. In the embodiment, the fastening strap is made of elastic silicone tape.

The smart reminder works according to the algorithm in several logical states, namely Countdovvn, Remind, LightSIeep, Sleep, and Deep. sleep ("DeepSIeep"). The operation of the smart reminder and the correlation between the logical states will be described below.

After inserting the battery into the reminder, all sensors are checked for performance. Depending on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the time interval of the countdown state is determined. The reminder is set to countdown, the timer starts to subtract the set time.

Whenever a smart reminder in the time interval of the countdown detects that the user is drinking water, it means that the container has moved in off the axis for a certain inclination and for a certain period of time, which is detected by the accelerometer, the reminder remains in the countdown state and the timer is reset. Each correct inclination of the container always reminds the reminder, ie in each of the logical states, by the corresponding light signal of the indicator light.

After the time interval of the countdown has elapsed and if during this time interval the accelerometer does not detect the movement of the container, that is, the user does not drink water and the illumination sensor does not detect a decrease in ambient illumination below the preset value, the reminder enters the alert state, and the indicator light flashes with a certain frequency and strength. The flashing intensity is determined on the basis of ambient illumination, and in the case of lower illumination, the intensity of the light signal emitted by the light indicator is lower. Flashing frequency, blinking length, pauses, and blinking power were determined empirically on a test user nozzle. If the user in the alert mode drinks water, it detects the accelerometer and the reminder returns to the countdown state, the timer starts to count down the set time.

If the accelerometer does not detect the movement of the container in the alert state, the reminder goes to light sleep, setting the time interval for the light sleep state on the timer. The duration of this state is preset with the timer. In the sleep state, the reminder can only react to the drinking action, that is, to move the container in with the axes for a certain tilt and for a fixed period. If in sleep, the user can drink water, it detects the accelerometer and the reminder returns to the countdown state.

In the event that the accelerometer in the sleep state cannot detect the movement of the container, a reminder passes after the time interval of the sleep state can elapse. In the sleep state, the accelerometer detects, in addition to the drinking action, vibrations from the environment, which are caused by the movement of the user in the presence of the container and thus the presence of the user. When the accelerometer detects the user's presence, the illumination sensor checks the ambient light level. When the ambient light sensor does not detect a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the sleep reminder enters the alarm state, with the light indicator flashing at a certain frequency and intensity. When the ambient light sensor detects a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes to deep sleep, setting the timer to deep sleep.

The illumination sensor checks the ambient light level each time after the set time expires in the countdown state. If the ambient light sensor does not detect a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes from one state to another as described above. When the ambient light sensor detects a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes to deep sleep, setting the timer to deep sleep. Usually this is at night when it's dark. The duration of this state is preset with the timer. After the interval has elapsed, the illumination sensor checks the ambient light and, in the case of darkness, the reminder stays in deep sleep, the duration is • ·

reset. The check is periodically in accordance with the set duration. If ambient lighting rises above the pre-set value, the light sensor sends information to the control circuit and the reminder goes to sleep.

A clever reminder of drinking fluid and how it works is presented below with an embodiment example and in the illustrative illustrations.

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the invention

Figure 2 is an embodiment of a reminder of the invention

Figures 3.1 and 3.2 present the flowchart of the logical states of the reminder and their interdependence

The smart drinking water reminder consists of a two-piece housing consisting of cap 1a and body 1b. A tab 1c is provided at the back of cap 1a to attach a reminder to a photographic strap 2 to be affixed to any container. The reminder body 1b contains a control circuit 4 with a timer 9, an illumination sensor 5, a temperature sensor 6, an accelerometer 7, an LED 8, and a battery 10. When the battery 10 is inserted into the body 1 b, the reminder is first checked, and the reminder first checks the operation all sensors. In the case of proper operation, the LED 8 10x flashes quickly, if there is something wrong with the operation of the sensors, the LED 8 lights up and the reminder switches off automatically.

After turning on the reminder, the timer 9 is reset and the reminder is set to the countdown state. Depending on the outside temperature, the timer 9 in the countdown state is set to a time between 30 and 40 min. Whenever a reminder via the accelerometer 7 detects that the user is drinking water, the correct action of the user is confirmed by 1x slow flashing of LED 8. Proper user action means that the angle of inclination of the container in the axis is at least 15 degrees and the tilting time is at least 2 seconds. In this case, timer 9 is reset to the countdown state. In case the user drinks the water from the container on his own initiative, LED 8 confirms the correct action every time with 1x slow blink, the timer 9 is reset each time, the reminder remains in the countdown state.

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In the event that the user does not drink water, the reminder enters the alert state after a period of time. LED 8 starts to flash rapidly at 8 Hz, with 10 repetitions after 30 beats with 5 second intervals. In case the user in the alert state drinks water, LED 8 with 1x slow blink confirms the correct action of the user and the reminder returns to the countdown state. If the user does not drink water in the alert state, the reminder goes to the sleep state. Sleep Timer 9 is activated, setting the time to 30 minutes. If after 30 minutes the accelerometer 7 does not detect any action, the reminder goes to sleep. In this mode, the accelerometer 7 detects micro vibrations from the environment in addition to the drinking action and thus the presence of the user. If the accelerometer 7 detects the presence of the user and the illumination sensor 5 does not detect a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes into alert state. LED 8 starts to flash rapidly at 8 Hz, with 10 repetitions after 30 beats with 5 second intervals. If the accelerometer detects drinking water, the LED 8 with 1x slow blinks confirms the correct action of the user and the reminder returns to the countdown state. If the ambient light sensor 5 detects a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes into deep sleep.

Exposure Sensor 5 checks the ambient light level each time after the set time expires in the countdown state. If the ambient light sensor 5 does not detect a decrease in ambient illumination below the preset value, the reminder goes from the alert state to the light sleep state and then to the sleep state as described above. When the ambient light sensor 5 detects a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes into deep sleep, usually at night when it is dark. The deep sleep timer 9 is activated, setting the time to 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the illumination sensor 5 checks the ambient light and, in the case of darkness, the reminder remains in deep sleep and the duration is reset. The check is periodically in accordance with the set duration, that is, every 30 minutes. In the case of ambient light increase above the preset value, the light sensor 5 transmits information to the control circuit 4 and the reminder goes to sleep.

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Regardless of what logical state the reminder is currently in when the user drinks water, the LED 8 with 1x slow blinking always confirms the user's correct action.

The key features of the smart reminder of the invention are therefore:

- recall of drinking water at optimal intervals, depending on the timer and ambient temperature;

- Optimal LED signaling, with a specific frequency of beats, intervals and intensity for detection in the user's peripheral vision;

- the luminous intensity of the LED is determined depending on the ambient light in order to reduce energy consumption;

- automatic detection of drinking using an accelerometer and timer;

- automatic switching off of the device after a certain time and in case of inactivity of the user or in case of nights;

- automatic switching on of the device by means of detection of user presence by means of accelerometer;

- advanced mode of operation of the application in the microcontroller with the purpose of reducing energy consumption and ensuring the autonomy of the device over 6 months;

- an advanced way of checking the performance of sensors and alerting the manufacturing worker of errors.

Claims (8)

1) A reminder for drinking liquids, preferably water, characterized in that it includes a two-part housing housing an electronic control circuit (4) with a timer (9), an accelerometer (7), a light sensor (5), a temperature sensor (6 ), a light indicator (8) and a battery (10), wherein the electronic control circuit (4) receives information from the accelerometer (7), the illumination sensor (5) and the temperature sensor (6) and the timer (9) and in accordance with the algorithm , which contains logical states of subtraction, alert, light sleep, sleep and deep sleep, controls the operation of the light indicator (8). 2) A reminder according to claim 1, characterized in that the accelerometer (7) is a 3-axis accelerometer that detects the acceleration and movement of the container to which the reminder vx, y and axes are attached, and vibrations transmitted across the floor to the table and a container that is driven by the user in the presence of the container, the sensors being transmitted by the accelerometer (7) to an electronic control circuit (4) which controls the light indicator (8) according to the algorithm. 3) Reminder according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the ambient light sensor (5) detects ambient light, transmitting information about the amount of ambient light into the electronic control circuit (4) that controls the light indicator (8). Reminder according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature sensor (6) measures the ambient temperature, the ambient temperature information being transmitted to the electronic control circuit (4), which regulates the time intervals of the indicator light (8). Reminder according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing consists of a cap (1a) and a body (1b) and has a tab (1c) mounted on the back of the cap (1a) for attachment to the contents or to the fastening strap (2) . 6) A method of operating a reminder for drinking liquids, preferably water, characterized in that it includes the following steps: - inserting the battery into the reminder, checking the operation of all sensors (5, 6, 7) and attaching the reminder to the container; depending on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor (6), a countdown time interval is determined, the reminder is set to a countdown state, the timer (9) starts to count down the set time; - whenever the accelerometer (7) in the time interval, the countdown detects the movement of the container in the axis for a certain inclination and for a certain time, the reminder remains in the countdown state and the timer (9) is reset; - if the accelerometer (7) in the countdown state does not detect the movement of the container and the light sensor (5) does not detect a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder enters the alert state, with the light indicator (8) flashing with a certain frequency and intensity; - if the accelerometer (7) detects container movement in the alert state, the reminder returns to the countdown state and the timer (9) is reset; - if the accelerometer (7) does not detect the movement of the container in the alert state, the reminder goes to the sleep state, whereby a time interval for sleep can be set on the timer (9); if in the sleep state the accelerometer (7) can detect the movement of the container, the reminder returns to the countdown state; - if the accelerometer (7) in the state of sleep is unable to detect the movement of the container, the reminder passes after the time interval elapses, the sleep can go to sleep; if the accelerometer (7) detects the presence of the user, the reminder from the sleep state enters the alert state, with the light indicator (8) flashing at a certain frequency and intensity; if the accelerometer (7) detects the movement of the container, the reminder returns to the countdown state. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that, after the expiration of the time interval, the light sensor (5) checks the ambient light level each time, and in case the light sensor (5) detects a decrease in ambient light below the preset value, the reminder goes into deep sleep state, setting a deep sleep sleep timer on the timer (9). The method according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the light sensor (5) periodically checks the ambient light, whereby in the case when the ambient light is below a preset value, the reminder remains in deep sleep and the deep sleep time interval is reset , when ambient lighting rises above the preset value, the reminder goes to sleep.