WO2018122173A1

WO2018122173A1 - Smart bottle holder

Info

Publication number: WO2018122173A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/084416
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gustaaf Laurens Jonathan TEN HOOR
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2016-12-27
Filing date: 2017-12-22
Publication date: 2018-07-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bottle holder for attaching to a bottle. Said bottle holder comprises a three-dimensional accelerometer for measuring an inclination angle of the bottle along its longitudinal axis, and a data processing unit configured to receive the measured inclination angle and to determine (i) a feeding start instant when the measured inclination angle becomes higher than a first threshold and (ii) a feeding stop instant when the measured inclination angle becomes lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold.

Description

SMART BOTTLE HOLDER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bottle holder for attaching to a bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Feeding systems for infants typically include a bottle for milk, a liquid infant formula or other liquids, generally referred to as a fluid. During feeding, the fluid is dispensed to the mouth of the infant. To ensure secure feeding and well-being of the infant, a number of parameters regarding the bottle content should be monitored. Common feeding systems often provide only one parameter such as temperature of the bottle contents without giving further information. As a consequence, parents tend to feeling insecure and helpless.

WO 2015/121552 discloses a bottle holder holding a bottle between its top and bottom, at the top via an upper face of a tightening ring and at the bottom via the base. The bottle holder comprises a first weight sensor that senses the weight exerted at the top of the bottle during the baby feeding and a second weight sensor that senses the weight exerted on the base of the bottle when the bottle is placed vertically. The bottle holder further comprises an accelerometer that senses the vibrations of the bottle. The bottle holder further comprises a transceiver module that transmits data wirelessly to a remote terminal, and a visual, audio or vibrating alarm that sends a warning the parent. A lateral bottle holding support prevents the bottle from leaving the top / bottom holding supports of the bottle holder and offers a grip surface for holding the bottle holder.

Because of the use of two weight sensors located at the top and bottom of the bottle, the user experience is not optimum since, for example, the bottle takes a lot of space and the parent cannot grab the bottle in a conventional manner but only at the lateral bottle holding support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle holder that improves the user experience.

To this end, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a bottle holder for attaching to a bottle. Said bottle holder comprises a three-dimensional accelerometer for measuring an inclination angle of the bottle along its longitudinal axis, and a data processing unit configured to receive the measured inclination angle and to determine (i) a feeding start instant when the measured inclination angle becomes higher than a first threshold and (ii) a feeding stop instant when the measured inclination angle becomes lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold. The bottle holder further comprises a weight sensor for measuring a weight of the bottle, wherein the data processing unit is further configured to determine the bottle weight each time an inclination angle of about 0° with respect to a vertical direction is measured and no motion is detected by the three dimensional

accelerometer.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is provided a bottle comprising a three-dimensional accelerometer for measuring an inclination angle of the bottle along its longitudinal axis, and - a data processing unit configured to receive the measured inclination angle and to determine (i) a feeding start instant when the measured inclination angle becomes higher than a first threshold and (ii) a feeding stop instant when the measured inclination angle becomes lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold. The bottle further comprises a weight sensor for measuring a weight of the bottle, wherein the data processing unit is further configured to determine the bottle weight each time an inclination angle of about 0° with respect to a vertical direction is measured and no motion is detected by the three dimensional accelerometer.

Still according to another aspect of the invention, it is provided a method of monitoring the feeding of an infant by use of such a bottle holder or such a bottle, said method comprising the following steps:

receiving the feeding start instant and the feeding stop instant and the weight measurements of the bottle at said feeding start instant and said feeding stop instant, and monitoring an amount of liquid drunk by the baby during a predetermined time period based on the received feeding start and feeding stop instants and the weight measurements.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. It shall be understood that the claimed methods, processor, computer program and medium have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments as the claimed system and as defined in the dependent claims.

The invention makes it possible to track the feeding pattern of a person. The data processing unit is adapted to determine the start and stop as well as interruptions of a feed by interpreting the acceleration values measured the three-dimension accelerometer so as to determine the inclination angle of the bottle. The data processing unit is also adapted to detect when the device is placed on a flat surface by interpreting the accelerometer's accelerations. The weight measurements which are carried out each time the bottle is on a flat surface make it possible to estimate the weight difference during a feed.

The invention is particularly beneficial in the monitoring of baby feeding to recognize their feeding patterns. This is advised by healthcare professionals in the first week of parenthood. This invention makes this tracking of time and volume effortless and therefore easy to continue during a longer period of the child's development to allow for supporting the little one's development in the best way.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention, together with the accompanying drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a bottle including a bottle holder according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the bottle holder according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows the operation of the bottle including the bottle holder in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 4 shows an electronic circuit in accordance with the invention, which circuit includes the different electronic components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 a bottle including a bottle holder according to an embodiment of the invention is disclosed. In this embodiment, the bottle is a baby bottle but it will be apparent to a skilled person that the invention can apply to any other type of bottle. The bottle (1) includes a container (1 1). A teat (12) is fixed on top of the container (1 1). The teat (12) is optionally covered by a cap (13). A bottle holder or sleeve (10) is attached to the bottom part of the bottle. Alternatively, the bottle holder can be attached to the middle part of the top part of the bottle. The bottle sleeve (10) is made of a rigid material such as plastic and fits the shape of the bottle (1) to constitute a single device when assembled together.

The structure of the bottle holder will now be described in more detailed in Figure 2. The bottle holder (10) comprises multiple sensors. It first comprises a temperature sensor (21) for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the bottle. The temperature is an important indication for the parents so they are sure that the liquid, for example milk, is neither too warm nor too cold. The bottle holder (10) also comprises a three dimensional accelerometer for measuring an inclination angle of the bottle when inserted in the bottle holder along its longitudinal axis. The bottle holder (10) further comprises a display unit (23), for displaying a warning signal such as light signal to indicate for example that the temperature of the liquid contained in the bottle is above a predetermined threshold. It comprises a weight sensor (26) for measuring the weight of the bottle when said bottle is placed on a flat surface such as a table. The weight sensor is preferably at the bottom of the bottle holder. Alternatively, the weight sensor can be at the top part of the bottle. The bottle holder (10) comprises a data processing unit (24) configured for receiving the signals from the various sensors and for processing them. It comprises a wireless transmission unit (25) for transmitting the data processed by the data processing unit (24). A power supply (27) is included in the bottle holder (10) to power the different electric components previously cited. Other sensors may be integrated in the bottle holder such as an optical sensor for acquiring the spectra of the liquid in the bottle. The optical sensor can be a Near-infrared NIR spectrometer or any other optical sensor with similar function and may provide nutrient information about the liquid.

The bottle holder in accordance with the invention operates as described in Figure 3. First of all, the data processing unit is configured to determine the bottle weight and the temperature of the liquid in the bottle each time an inclination angle of about 0° with respect to the vertical direction is measured and no motion is detected by the three

dimensional accelerometer.

Before feeding a baby, the liquid is heated and the bottle having the bottle holder is filled with the liquid. The bottle is put on the table and the bottle weight and liquid temperature are measured and stored in a storage unit.

When the liquid is at the right temperature, the bottle is progressively inclinded to feed the baby and the data processing unit is configured to receive the inclination angle measured by the accelerometer so as to determine a feeding start instant when the measured inclination angle becomes higher than a first threshold. The first threshold is comprised between 90° and 180° and preferably between 90° and 135°, for example 100°. The feeding start instant is stored in a storage unit.

If the baby wants to have a pause or when the bottle is empty, the data processing unit is configured to receive the inclination angle measured by the accelerometer so as to determine a feeding stop instant when the measured inclination angle becomes lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold. The second threshold is comprised between 0° and 90°, for example 45°. The feeding stop instant is stored in a storage unit. The measurement of the inclination angle makes it possible to detect the start, end or interruption of a feed.

Every time the bottle is placed on a flat surface, the bottle weight is measured and stored in a storage unit. This makes it possible to measure the weight difference during a feed. The operation of the bottle can be controlled via a method implemented by a software embedded in the data processing unit.

Fig. 4 shows an electronic circuit in accordance with the invention, the circuit including the different electronic components.

The electronic circuit comprises the temperature sensor (21). The temperature sensor can be contactless infrared thermopile temperature sensor will be used to measure the content temperature. As another example, it can be a thermistor.

The electronic circuit comprises the three-dimensional accelerometer or three- axis accelerometer (22). These devices have fast response times, low current consumption, low voltage operation. They are able to detect orientation, shake, tap, double tap, fall, tilt, motion, positioning, shock or vibration. These accelerometers address highly accurate motion detection.

The electronic circuit comprises the weight sensor (26). The weight sensor is preferably a load-cell sensor. A load cell is a transducer that is used to create an electrical signal whose magnitude is directly proportional to the force being measured. The load cell is for example a strain gauge load cell.

The electronic circuit includes the display unit (23) which is a small user interface. For example, the display unit comprises one or more light emitting devices LEDs. A warning or safe signal can be shown on the one or more LEDs based for example on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor (21), the three-dimensional accelerometer (22), the weight sensor (26) and the display unit (23) are all connected to the data processing unit (24). The data processing unit is preferably a microcontroller unit. The microcontroller unit embeds one or more storage units such as a flash memory and a static random access memory RAM. The data processing unit (24) is connected to the wireless transmission unit (25) which transmits the data processed by the data processing unit via an antenna. The wireless transmission unit is preferably a Bluetooth transmitter, for example a Bluetooth Low Energy BLE transmitter.

The transmitted data are received by a remote unit such as a smartphone. The remote device includes an application that can display information to monitor feeding parameters during a predetermined time period based on the received feeding start and feeding stop instants. As an example, the amount of liquid drunk by the infant is monitored and displayed.

A power supply (27) is adapted to power the different electric components. The power supply is typically a battery. An On/Off button makes it possible to switch on/off the electronic circuit. Alternatively, the electronic circuit is automatically turned on by motion based (gestures) interrupts generated by the accelerometer.

Other types of sensors to cover yet other bottle parameters can be present to widen the range of possibilities to control the feeding of the infant.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bottle holder for attaching to a bottle, said bottle holder comprising:

a three-dimensional accelerometer for measuring an inclination angle of the bottle along its longitudinal axis,

a data processing unit configured to receive the measured inclination angle and to determine (i) a feeding start instant when the measured inclination angle becomes higher than a first threshold and (ii) a feeding stop instant when the measured inclination angle becomes lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, and

a weight sensor for measuring a weight of the bottle, wherein the data processing unit is further configured to determine the bottle weight each time an inclination angle of about 0° with respect to a vertical direction is measured and no motion is detected by the three dimensional accelerometer.

2. A bottle holder according to claim 1, wherein the weight sensor is a load-cell.

3. A bottle holder according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the content of the bottle.

4. A bottle holder according to claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor or an infra-red sensor.

5. A bottle holder according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit, the data processing unit being further configured to receive the measured temperature and to display a warning signal on the display unit if the temperature is above a predetermined threshold.

6. A bottle holder according to claim 5, wherein the display unit is in the form of one or more light emitting devices LEDs.

7. A bottle holder according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a storage unit for storing the data measured by the three dimensional accelerometer and/or the weight sensor and/or the temperature sensor.

8. A bottle holder according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a wireless transmission unit for transmitting the data processed by the data processing unit.

9. A bottle holder according to claim 8, wherein the wireless transmission unit is a Bluetooth transmitter.

10. A bottle holder according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a battery for powering the data processing unit and/or the three dimensional accelerometer and/or the weight sensor and/or the temperature sensor and/or the display unit and/or the wireless transmission unit.

1 1. A bottle comprising:

12. Method of monitoring the feeding of an infant by use of a bottle holder according to one of the claims 1 to 10 or a bottle according to claim 1 1 , said method comprising the following steps:

13. Method according to claim 12 wherein the method is performed by an application or program present on a user device which is configured to carry out the method steps.

14. Computer program product comprising program code means for causing a computer to carry out the steps of the method as claimed in claim 12.