WO2017077109A1

WO2017077109A1 - Pillow

Info

Publication number: WO2017077109A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/076833
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Bayliss; Caroline SERRA; William BIENSTMAN
Original assignee: Advansa B.V.; City Zen Sciences
Priority date: 2015-11-06
Filing date: 2016-11-07
Publication date: 2017-05-11

Abstract

The invention relates to a pillow (10) comprising a textile shell (16) having an upper layer (18) and a lower layer (20) defining a space therebetween. The textile shell (16) comprises a further layer (22) arranged between the upper and lower layers (18, 20). The three layers (18, 20, 22) at their respective edges are directly or indirectly connected to each other for forming two compartments (28, 30) with the further layer in between. Furthermore, there are provided at least one sensor (14) for monitoring sleep of a person using the pillow (10), and an electronic module (12) for receiving signals from the at least one sensor(14), for processing the received signals and for transmitting signals to outside the pillow (10). The at least one sensor (14) and, if desired, the electronic module (12) is/are located on or in the further layer (22).

Description

Pillow

The present invention relates to a system for providing actigraphy measurements and sensitive for physiological and/or actimetric characteristics of a sleeping person and particularly to a pillow and specifically to a pillow comprising a sensor for providing actigraphy measurements and sensitive for physiological and/or actimetric characteristics of a sleeping person.

It is known that it can be advantageous to monitor sleep of a person by actigraphy which is a non-invasive method of monitoring human rest/activity cycles. It is also known to provide a sleeping pillow with a sensor which particular is an actimetry sensor.

Pillows comprising at least one sensor are disclosed in DE-A-10 2013 001 077, DE-C-199 30 818, DE-A- 198 53 394, DE-B-10 2006 022 185, and JP-A-2009- 100795. Pillows having different internal compartments are described in EP-B- 1 955 618, US-A-2004/0139549, and DE-U-20 2014 007 813.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pillow having improved characteristics for monitoring the sleep of a person. For solving this problem, according to the invention a pillow is provided which comprises

a textile shell having an upper layer and a lower layer defining a space therebetween,

wherein the textile shell comprises a further layer arranged between the upper and lower layers and

wherein the three layers at their respective edges are directly or indirectly connected to each other for forming two compartments with the further layer in between, at least one sensor for monitoring sleep of a person using the pillow, and an electronic module for receiving signals from the at least one sensor, for processing the received signals and for transmitting signals to outside the pillow,

- wherein the at least one sensor and, if desired, the electronic module is/are located on or in the further layer.

By way of locating at least one sensor on or in a layer of the textile shell of the pillow, the position of the sensor is defined and more or less will not change. Particularly, the distance of the sensor to the head and neck of the person using the pillow is clearly defined so that it is safeguarded that sensor during sleep of a person will always sense the signals for which the sensor is designed . According to the invention, the further textile is arranged between the upper and the lower layer of the textile shell . All three layers preferably are connected to each other by e.g. sewing. The space of the textile shell which normally is filled with filling material, in this embodiment is divided in two compartments which can be filled with cushioning material wherein the filing densities in both compartments being the same or different. If the filling densities of both cavities are substantially the same, the person can use the pillow with top-side up or top-side down without the relative position of the sensor to the head and neck of the person being substantially the same. Preferably the further layer is a textile, in particular a fabric, a nonwoven or a netting.

In a preferred embodiment, the textile shell comprises a closable opening for providing access to both compartments or wherein the textile shell comprises a first closable opening for the one compartment and a second closable opening for the other compartment. According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned object is solved by means of a pillow comprising

- a textile substrate element (like e.g . an instruction or care label) attached to the textile shell or a pocket at the textile shell,

at least one sensor for monitoring sleep of a person using the pillow, and an electronic module for receiving signals from the at least one sensor, for processing the received signals and for transmitting signals to outside the pillow,

wherein the at least one sensor and, if desired, the electronic module is/are located on or in the textile substrate element or in the pocket.

Both (or more) sensors can be connected to a single electronic module or can be connected to several electronic modules or each sensor is connected to only one electronic module.

In this aspect of the invention, the sensor and, if desired, the electronic module connected to the sensor is/are located on or in a textile substrate element which is attached to the textile shell of the pillow. The textile substrate element for example can be a strip or a pocket or can form a pocket with the upper or lower layer of the textile shell . In one embodiment, the textile substrate material is a textile strip extending both inwardly into and outwardly from the pillow. That part of this textile substrate element located within the space of the pillow, comprises the sensor while the part of the textile substrate arranged outside of the textile shell of the pillow comprises e.g. a connector for e.g. charging the electronic module also located at (on or in) the textile substrate element. In this embodiment, the textile substrate element preferably is sewed with the pillow shell at its outer seam.

As an alternative, the textile substrate element can also be fixed to the textile shell by means of a mechanical fastener like e.g. a button or hook-and-loop- like or other type of interengageable elements. As already mentioned above, the electronic mod ule can be connected to a connector by means of a wire. However, instead of a wire, also wireless connection of the electronic module with a charging device or with a communication receiving unit is possible. The electronic module could comprise a battery which is not chargeable . Instead of such a battery, also a battery can be used which is chargeable and rechargeable by wire or wireless. The same is true for the communication between the electronic module and a receiving unit arranged outside of the pil low. This communication line can be by wire or wireless.

Assuming that the pillow comprises a connector connected to the electronic mod ule throug h a line, the connector is arranged preferably in a seam of the textile shel l, especial ly a seam at the edge of the textile shell . Generally, the sensor can be located on top of the further layer or the textile substrate element or it can be embedded in the textile material of these layer or element as e . g . described in WO-A-2015/101759.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one sensor is for monitoring breathing and/or sleep cycles like deep and lig ht sleep phases, and/or for provid ing actigraphy measurements of a person using the pil low.

Preferably, the at least one sensor comprises or the several sensors incl ude an accelerometer and/or gyroscope for monitoring movements and/or loads which the pil low is subjected to, or for providing actigraphy measurements.

Accord ing to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one sensor comprises a microphone for measuring noise such as snoring . Providing a buzzer or vibrating unit arranged within the pillow or attached to the pillow or located outside the pillow provides for the advantage that in case that the sensor measures snoring, the sleeping person is caused to change his/her sleeping position or is waken-up. However, the buzzer or vibrating unit can also be used to wake-up the sleeping person at a sched uled time or at an optimal time in the sleep cycle monitored by the sensor.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the d rawing in which is an exploded schematic view to a pillow having an upper layer, a lower layer and a further layer therebetween for locating thereon and/or therein at least one sensor and, if desired, an electronic mod ule associated to the sensor with a line and a connector for e. g . recharging a battery of the electronic mod ule,

Fig . 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pillow accord ing to Fig . 1 ,

Fig . 3 shows a pil low with a pocket outside or inside of the pillow and sewed with the upper or lower layer of the pillow for accommodating the sensor and, if desired , the electronic mod ule which again is connected by a l ine to a connector,

Fig . 4 shows a pillow with a strip-like textile substrate element fixed to the pillow by sewing the element at the outer seam of the pillow with an inner portion of the textile substrate element carrying or provided with the sensor and , if desired , the electronic mod ule and the outer portion of the textile substrate element being provided with a connector connected to the electronic module by a line, and ,

Fig . 5 a schematic ill ustration of the diverse appl ications for which the pillow can be used .

A first embod iment for a system for monitoring sleep of a person and specifical ly for a system for providing actig raphy measurements and sensitive for physiological and/or actimetric characteristics of a sleeping person is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The system comprises a pillow 10 including an electronic mod ule 12 and a sensor 14. The pillow 10 comprises a textile shel l 16 including an upper layer 18, a lower layer 20, and a middle layer 22 arranged in between the upper and lower layers 18,20. The three layers 18,20,22 are connected by a surrounding outer seam 24 so that two compartments 26,28 (see Fig . 2) are formed . Both compartments may be filled with cushioning material 30 having the same filling density or having different filling densities in the two compartments 26,28.

At the middle layer 22 there is arranged the electronic module 12 and the sensor 14. This arrangement is electrically connected via a line 32 to a connector 34 arranged within the outer seam 24 for providing electrical connection of the pillow 10 to e.g . external equipment like a computer, a loading station for charging a battery of the electronic module 12 and/or sensor 14 or for a reading device for reading data stored in the electronic module 12 and/or sensor 14.

Figs. 3 and 4 show alternative arrangements for the pillow labeled by 10' (Fig . 3) and 10" (Fig . 4) . The pillow 10', 10" also comprises a textile shell 16 which may be or may not be provided with several compartments as is the case in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. In the pillow 10', a pocket 36 is formed at the textile shell 16 for accommodating the electronic module 12 and/or the sensor 14. As is the case in the pillow 10 according to Figs. 1 and 2, also in the pillow 10' there is a connector 34 arranged e.g . in the outer seam 24 of the pillow 10'. The connector 34 is connected via electric line 32 to the electronic module 12 and/or sensor 14.

In the pillow 10" of Fig . 4, the textile shell 16 comprises a textile substrate element 38 for supporting the electronic module 12 and/or sensor 14, the electric line 32, and the connector 34. The textile substrate element 38 protrudes from the textile shell 16 wherein the protruding end of the textile substrate element 38 is provided with the connector 34.

Fig . 5 shows a schematic illustration of potential applications for which the pillow as described above can be used . The pillow 10 general ly is provided with at least one sensor 14. However, basical ly, several sensors 14 are provided . For example one sensor 14' is used for sensing noise e. g . snoring and , accordingly, comprises a microphone. Also or as an alternative, the microphone 14' can sense noise from the environment of the sleeping person . Another sensor 14" senses movements of the person d uring sleep and , specifically, senses movements of the head of the sleeping person indicating in which way the sleeping person moves (e. g . turning from left to rig ht) . Several movement sensing sensors 14" sensing d ifferent parameters of a movement can be provided . The electronic module 12 is further provided with a timer 14"' .

A further sensor or further sensors can be provided in order to sense the d iverse sleeping phases l ike light sleep and deep sleep and REM-phases. Via a wireless communication connection 40, the electronic module 12 can be communicate with mobile terminals 42,44 like a tablet or a smartphone in order to transmit data thereto. It is also possible that instead of a mobile terminal a stationary computer or the like is used . The tablet or smartphone are provided with an application program (app) for analyzing , calculating , determining and/or visualizing data in the form of an il lustration of the history of the data during nig ht (symbol ized at 46) , for transmitting data to an external data storage means 48, for providing acoustic data (like alarm or buzzer 50) or for provid ing advice (symbolized by 52 in Fig . 5) with respect to improving quality of the sleep and how to behave in order to have a sleep of better qual ity. Final ly, also by vibrating, the mobile terminal 42,44 can provide information to the sleeping person or to a third party.

Charging the battery of the electronic module 12 and/or the at least one sensor 14 can be provided wireless or via wire. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS pillow

' pillow

" pillow

sensor

' sensor

" sensor

"' timer

textile shell

upper layer

lower layer

middle layer

seam

compartment

cushioning material

electric line

connector

pocket

element

communication connection

mobile terminal

history

data storage means

buzzer

advice

Claims

Pillow comprising

a textile shell (16) having an upper layer (18) and a lower layer (20) defining a space therebetween,

wherein the textile shell (16) comprises a further layer (22) arranged between the upper and lower layers (18,20) and

wherein the three layers at their respective edges are directly or indirectly connected to each other for forming two compartments (26,28) with the further layer (22) in between,

at least one sensor (14) for monitoring sleep of a person using the pillow, and

an electronic module (12) for receiving signals from the at least one sensor (14), for processing the received signals and for transmitting signals to outside the pillow,

wherein the at least one sensor (14) and, if desired, the electronic module (12) is/are located on or in the further layer (22).

Pillow according to claim 1, wherein the two compartments (26,28) are filled with cushioning material (30) with the filling densities in both compartments (26,28) being the same or different.

Pillow according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the further layer (22) is a textile, in particular a fabric, a nonwoven or a netting .

Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the textile shell (16) comprises a closable opening for providing access to both compartments (26,28) or wherein the textile shell (16) comprises a first closable opening for the one compartment (26) and a second closable opening for the other compartment (28).

5. Pillow comprising

a textile substrate element (38) attached to the textile shell (16) or a pocket (36) at the textile shell (16),

at least one sensor (14) for monitoring sleep of a person using the pillow, and

wherein the at least one sensor (14) and, if desired, the electronic module(12) is/are located on or in the textile substrate element (38) or in the pocket (36).

6. Pillow according to claim 5, wherein the textile substrate element (38) is a strip for receiving the sensor and, if desired, the electronic module (12), or the textile substrate element (38) together with the upper or lower layer (18,20) of the textile shell (16) forms the pocket (36) for receiving the sensor and, if desired, the electronic module.

7. Pillow according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the textile substrate element (38) is sewed to the textile shell (16) e.g. at its upper or lower layer (18,20) or at a seam (24) of the textile shell (16) or is fixed to the textile shell by means of a mechanical fastener like e.g. a button or hook-and- loop-like or other type of interengageable elements.

8. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic module (12) is capable of transmitting signals by wire or wireless to a remote receiving unit such as a smartphone, computer or the like electronic device.

9. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electronic module (12) comprises a battery which is chargeable and rechargeable by wire or wireless.

10. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic module (12) comprises a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery, a microcomputer, a memory and a wireless communication system.

11. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising a connector (34) connected to the electronic module (12) through a line (32), wherein the connector (34) is arranged in a seam (24) of the textile shell (16), especially a seam at the edge of the textile shell (16).

12. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one sensor (14) is fixedly arranged or removably attachable to the further layer (22) or the textile substrate element (38) or in the pocket (36).

13. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one sensor (14) is for monitoring breathing and/or sleep cycles like deep and light sleep phases, and/or for providing actigraphy measurements of a person using the pillow.

14. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one sensor (14) comprises an accelerometer and/or gyroscope for monitoring movements and/or loads which the pillow is subjected to, or for providing actigraphy measurements.

15. Pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one sensor (14) comprises a microphone for measuring noise such as snoring.

16. Pillow according to claim 15, further comprising a buzzer or vibrating unit to be activated (i) to wake-up the sleeping person at a scheduled time or at predetermined or undetermined time in the sleep cycle and/or (ii) in case that the sensor ( 14) measures snoring so as to wake-up the sleeping person or to cause the sleeping person to change his/her sleeping position.