WO2013128202A1

WO2013128202A1 - Drinking aid

Info

Publication number: WO2013128202A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050513
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Edward RICHARDS
Original assignee: Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd
Current assignee: Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-01
Filing date: 2013-03-01
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-01
Also published as: GB2499829A; GB201203632D0

Description

Drinking Aid

The present invention relates to a drinking aid and particularly, but not exclusively to a drinking aid for reminding a user to take a drink.

Dehydration is a particular problem with the elderly since a person's susceptibility to dehydration increases with age. This problem is made worse since elderly persons are also more susceptible to dementia, and as a result often forget to take regular drinks which can easily prevent the onset of dehydration and the problems associated therewith.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a drinking aid for reminding a user to take a drink, the aid comprising a sensor for distinguishing between a first and second state of a beverage receptacle, a timer for timing a predetermined period, a processor for processing signals from the sensor and the timer, and alerting means for generating an alert,

the processor being arranged to output a signal to alerting means to cause an alert to be generated to alert the consumer to take a drink in the event that the state remains unchanged for more that the pre-determined time.

Advantageously, the drinking aid is arranged to remind a user to take a drink at regular intervals, namely at intervals determined by the pre-determined period.

The alerting means is preferably arranged to generate an alert in the event that the first state remains unchanged for a predetermined time. Preferably, the alerting means is also arranged to generate an alert in the event that the second state remains unchanged for a predetermined time.

Preferably, the alerting means is arranged to generate an alert in the event that the first sensed state remains unchanged for more than a first pre-determined time. The alerting means is preferably further arranged to generate an alert in the event that the second sensed state remains unchanged for more than a second pre-determined time.

The first pre-determined time is preferably different to the second pre-determined time. Preferably, the first state comprises a state in which the sensor senses the presence of the receptacle and the second state is a state in which the sensor is unable to sense the presence of the receptacle. It is envisaged that the second state may be arranged to generate an alert to inform the user to suitably position or orientate the receptacle.

The or each predetermined time is preferably selectably variable in accordance with a user preferred time. In this respect, the aid preferably comprises a switch for selectively switching between a plurality of user preferred time settings.

The alerting means preferably comprises at least one of an audible alert, such as a buzzer or bleep from a loudspeaker, an optical alert, such as a flashing light, or a combination of an audible and an optical alert. Preferably, the sensor comprises a pressure sensor or a weight sensor for sensing the weight of the receptacle. In an embodiment of the invention, the drinking aid is preferably embodied in a coaster or mat, and the sensor is arranged to sense the presence of the receptacle thereon. In an alternative embodiment, the drinking aid is preferably embodied in the base or disposed upon the base of the receptacle and the sensor is arranged to sense the presence of the receptacle upon a surface, such as a table top.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a drinking aid comprising a receptacle for holding a beverage, a sensor for distinguishing between a first state and a second state of the beverage within the receptacle, a timer for timing a predetermined period, a processor for processing signals from the sensor and the timer, and alerting means for generating an alert,

the processor being arranged to output a signal to alerting means to cause an alert to be generated to alert the consumer to take a drink in the event that the sensed state remains unchanged for more that the pre-determined time.

The alerting means is preferably arranged to generate an alert in the event that the first state remains unchanged for a predetermined time. In an embodiment of the aid of the second aspect of the present invention, the sensor preferably comprises transmitter and receiver, such as an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver, whereby the receiver is arranged to receive signals reflected off the surface of the beverage from the transmitter, to determine the position of the beverage surface within the receptacle. In this manner, the sensor is arranged to sense whether any beverage has been consumed within a predetermined time, to determine whether to activate the alerting means to remind the user to take a drink. The first state thus comprises a first height of the beverage within the receptacle and the second state comprises a second height of the beverage within the receptacle.

Preferably, the receptacle comprises a lid and the sensor is disposed within the lid. The lid further comprises a display for displaying reminders to the user to take a drink and/or displaying whether the receptacle requires filling for example.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor, which may comprise a gyroscope, is preferably arranged to sense the orientation of the receptacle, which may comprise a jug for example. The sensor may thus be arranged to detect the change in orientation/movement of the receptacle to monitor for a pouring of the beverage from the receptacle, for example. In this embodiment, the sensor is preferably rigidly coupled to a side wall of the receptacle so that the movements sensed by the gyroscope correspond with movements of the receptacle.

In yet a further embodiment, the sensor may comprise a pressure or weight sensor for sensing the weight of the beverage within the receptacle. In this embodiment, the sensor is thus arranged to monitor the weight of the beverage and the processor is arranged to cause an alert to be generated in the event that the weight of the beverage remains unchanged for more that the predetermined time. The first state thus comprises a first beverage weight and the second state comprises a second beverage weight which is less that the first weight.

The predetermined time is preferably selectably variable in accordance with a user preferred time setting. In this respect, the aid preferably comprises a switch for selectively switching between a plurality of user preferred time settings. The alerting means preferably comprises at least one of an audible alert, such as a buzzer or bleep generated by a loudspeaker, an optical alert, such as a flashing light or an instruction on the display, or a combination of an audible and an optical alert. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a coaster comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a mat comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a cup comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a jug comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a coaster 100 for a receptacle (not shown), such as a cup or mug, comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coaster 100 comprises a substantially planar housing 101 having an upper surface for receiving the receptacle (not shown). The coaster 100 further comprises a pressure or weight sensor 102 disposed adjacent the upper surface for sensing the presence of the receptacle thereon, and a processor 103 and a timer 104 disposed within the housing 101. The processor 103 is arranged in communication with the timer 104 and the sensor 102 and is arranged to receive signals from the sensor 102 and the timer 104. The sensor 102 is arranged to distinguish between a first state in which the receptacle (not shown) is located upon the coaster 100 and a second state in which the receptacle (not shown) is removed from the coaster 100 by sensing the variation in sensed weight for example, with time. The timer 104 is arranged to time a pre-determined time and to output a signal to the processor 103 once the pre-determined time has elapsed. In the event that a first pre-determined time elapses without the sensor 102 outputting a signal to the processor 103 indicating a change in the sensed state from the first to the second state, then the processor 103 is arranged to output a signal to alerting means to alert the user (not shown) to take a drink from the receptacle (not shown). In a further embodiment, the processor 103 is also arranged to output a signal to the alerting means in the event that the sensor 102 fails to indicate a change in the sensed state from the second to the first state in a second pre-determined time, which may be different to the first pre-determined time. It is envisaged that this alert may be arranged to inform the user to replace the receptacle (not shown) upon the coaster 100 or to suitably reposition or orientate the receptacle (not shown) upon the coaster 100. The first and second predetermined times are selectable from a plurality of pre-defined time settings, using a respective slide switch 105a, 105b disposed upon the housing 101 , so that the user (not shown) can select the desired length of time, which may be specific for a particular user. The alerting means comprises a transducer 106, such as a loudspeaker, disposed within the housing 101 and a plurality of light emitting diodes 107 disposed upon the coaster 100 around a periphery thereof. The transducer 106 is arranged to generate an audible noise, such as a bleep or a buzz, or alternatively a voice instruction to "take a drink", whereas the light emitting diodes 107 are arranged to illuminate and/or flash to alert or further alert the user (not shown) to take a drink.

In order to minimise the possibility of the user (not shown) misplacing the receptacle (not shown) upon the coaster 100 or otherwise not placing the receptacle (not shown) upon the coaster 100, the drinking aid may be embodied within a mat 200, such as a table covering, as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings. The mat comprises the same features as the coaster 100 of the coaster embodiment and as such like features have been referenced with the same numerals, but increased by 100. The mat 200 differs from the coaster 100 however in that the sensor 202 comprises a distributed area, as opposed to a localised area, to effectively cover the whole surface of a table (not shown) for example, so that the receptacle (not shown) can be sensed at any location upon the table.

Referring to figure 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a receptacle 300, such as a cup or mug comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drinking aid is disposed within a housing 301 which may be formed as part of the receptacle 300 or detachably coupled to the receptacle 300 using coupling means (not shown). The drinking aid of this embodiment comprises the same features as the coaster 100 and mat 200 embodiments, and so like features have been referenced using the same numerals but increased by 300. The sensor 302 of the receptacle 300 however is disposed at the underside of the housing 301 to sense the presence of the receptacle 300 upon a surface such as a table or work surface (not shown). In this respect, the sensor 302 is arranged to distinguish between a first state in which the receptacle 300 is located upon a table (not shown) for example, and a second state in which the receptacle 300 is being held off the table (not shown), such as when taking a drink of the beverage from the receptacle 300. It is envisaged that the positioning of the drinking aid at the underside of the receptacle 300 will obviate the requirement for the user to replace the receptacle 300 upon the coaster 100 or mat 200 for further sensing, and thus provide for a more versatile drinking aid.

Referring to figure 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a beverage receptacle, such as a jug 400 comprising a drinking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention disposed within a lid 401 thereof. It is to be appreciated however that the aid may alternatively be positioned upon or within a side wall of the jug 400. The aid comprises a sensor 402 for sensing the volume of the beverage within the jug 400, a timer 404 for timing a pre-determined time and a processor 403 arranged in communication with the timer 404 and the sensor 402, which is arranged to receive signals from the sensor 402 and the timer 404. The sensor 402 is arranged to determine the position of the beverage surface within the jug 400 and comprises a transmitter 402a which is arranged to transmit a signal, such as an ultrasonic signal toward the surface 405 of the beverage. The signal is arranged to reflect off the surface 405 of the beverage toward a receiver 402b. The sensor 402 is arranged to monitor the time-of-flight of the signal from the transmitter 402a to the receiver 402b to determine the depth of the beverage within the jug 400 and thus the volume of beverage within the jug 400. The sensor 402 may be further arranged to monitor the variation in the time-of-flight of the signal between the transmitter 402a and receiver 402b, with time, to monitor the time between pouring events, since it is envisaged that the pouring event will be characterised by a rapid change in the time-of- flight. In this embodiment, the first state comprises a particular time-of-flight, namely a particular volume of beverage within the jug 400, and in the event that the volume remains unchanged for more than a pre-determined time, which may be selectively varied between a plurality of pre-defined user time settings using a slide switch 406, the processor 403 is arranged to output a signal to alerting means to alert the user to take a drink.

The alerting means comprises a transducer 407, such as a loudspeaker, disposed within the lid 401 and a plurality of light emitting diodes 408 disposed upon the lid 401. The transducer 407 is arranged to generate an audible noise, such as a bleep or a buzz, or alternatively a voice instruction to "take a drink", whereas the light emitting diodes 408 are arranged to illuminate and/or flash to alert or further alert the user (not shown) to take a drink. The lid 401 further comprises a display 409 for displaying information and instructions to the user (not shown), such as information regarding the volume of beverage within the jug 400, the time periods between pouring of the beverage from the jug 400, or instructions to the user (not shown) to take a drink, for example. In an alternative embodiment of the jug 400, the sensor 402 may alternatively or additionally comprise means for sensing the weight of the beverage within the jug 400. The sensor 402 may thus comprise a pressure or weight sensor 402c disposed between the receptacle 400a of the jug 400 and a base 400b of the jug 400. In this case, the sensor 402c is arranged to detect a change in the weight of the beverage and thus the volume of the beverage within the jug 400, and in the event that the weight remains unchanged for more that a predetermined time, then the processor 403 is arranged to activate the alerting means to cause an alert to be generated.

In yet a further embodiment of the jug 400, the sensor 402 may alternatively or additionally comprise a movement sensor, such as a gyroscope or tilt sensor 402d for sensing the movement of the jug 400. The tilt sensor 402d is arranged to sense the orientation and accelerations of the jug 400 so that pouring events can be distinguished from periods when the jug 400 is stationary. It is envisaged that this will provide for a reduced power consumption compared with an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver arrangement 402a, 402b whereby the signal is necessarily generated continuously.

The jug 400 and associated lid 401 , sensor 402, processor 403 and timer 404 further provides for the monitoring of the amount of beverage poured from the jug 400 and the time between pouring events, so that the variation in beverage consumption throughout the day, for example, can be monitored. It is envisaged that this will enable carers and the like to asses whether the beverage consumption is appropriate for a particular user, so that the alert provided to the user can be varied to suit the particular user and thus their optimal daily consumption of beverage.

In each of the above described embodiments of the drinking aid, namely the coaster 100, the mat 200, the receptacle 300 and the jug 400, the aid may further comprise communication means (not shown) for communicating the drinking history of the user from the receptacle/jug 300, 400, to a central server (not shown) for remote monitoring.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the drinking aid of the above described embodiments provide for a simple yet effective means of reminding a user to take a drink.

Claims

1. A drinking aid for reminding a user to take a drink, the aid comprising a sensor for distinguishing between a first and second state of a beverage receptacle, a timer for timing a predetermined period, a processor for processing signals from the sensor and the timer, and alerting means for generating an alert,

the processor being arranged to output a signal to alerting means to cause an alert to be generated to alert the user to take a drink in the event that the state remains unchanged for more that the pre-determined time.

2. A drinking aid according to claim 1 , wherein the alerting means is arranged to generate an alert in the event that the first state remains unchanged for a predetermined time.

3. A drinking aid according to claim 2, wherein the alerting means is further arranged to generate an alert in the event that the second state remains unchanged for a predetermined time.

4. A drinking aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the alerting means is arranged to generate an alert in the event that the first sensed state remains unchanged for more than a first pre-determined time.

5. A drinking aid according to claim 4, wherein the alerting means is further arranged to generate an alert in the event that the second sensed state remains unchanged for more than a second pre-determined time.

6. A drinking aid according to claim 5, wherein the first pre-determined time is different to the second pre-determined time.

7. A drinking aid according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the or each predetermined time is selectably variable in accordance with a user preferred time.

8. A drinking aid according to claim 7 further comprising a switch for selectively switching between a plurality of user preferred time settings.

9. A drinking aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the first state comprises a state in which the sensor senses the presence of the receptacle and the second state is a state in which the sensor is unable to sense the presence of the receptacle.

10. A drinking aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the second state is arranged to generate an alert to inform the user to suitably position or orientate the receptacle.

1 1 . A drinking aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the alerting means comprises at least one of an audible alert an optical alert, or a combination of an audible and an optical alert.

12. A drinking aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor or a weight sensor for sensing the weight of the receptacle.

13. A drinking aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the drinking aid is embodied in a coaster or mat, and the sensor is arranged to sense the presence of the receptacle thereon.

14. A drinking aid according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the drinking aid is embodied in the base or disposed upon the base of the receptacle and the sensor is arranged to sense the presence of the receptacle upon a surface.

15. A drinking aid comprising a receptacle for holding a beverage, a sensor for distinguishing between a first state and a second state of the beverage within the receptacle, a timer for timing a predetermined period, a processor for processing signals from the sensor and the timer, and alerting means for generating an alert, the processor being arranged to output a signal to alerting means to cause an alert to be generated to alert the user to take a drink in the event that the sensed state remains unchanged for more that the pre-determined time.

16. A drinking aid according to claim 15, wherein the alerting means is arranged to generate an alert in the event that the first state remains unchanged for a predetermined time.

17. A drinking aid according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises transmitter and receiver whereby the receiver is arranged to receive signals reflected off the surface of the beverage from the transmitter to determine the position of the beverage surface within the receptacle.

18. A drinking aid according to claim 17, wherein the first state comprises a first height of the beverage within the receptacle and the second state comprises a second height of the beverage within the receptacle.

19. A drinking aid according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the receptacle comprises a lid and the sensor is disposed within the lid.

20. A drinking aid according to claim 19, wherein the lid further comprises a display for displaying reminders to the user to take a drink and/or displaying whether the receptacle requires filling.

21 . A drinking aid according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises a gyroscope arranged to sense the orientation of the receptacle.

22. A drinking aid according to claim 21 , wherein the sensor is rigidly coupled to a side wall of the receptacle so that the movements sensed by the gyroscope correspond with movements of the receptacle.

23. A drinking aid according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure or weight sensor for sensing the weight of the beverage within the receptacle.

24. A drinking aid according to claim 23, wherein the first state comprises a first beverage weight and the second state comprises a second beverage weight which is less that the first weight.

25. A drinking aid according to any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the predetermined time is selectably variable in accordance with a user preferred time setting.

26. A drinking aid according to claim 25, wherein the aid comprises a switch for selectively switching between a plurality of user preferred time settings.

27. A drinking aid according to any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the alerting means comprises at least one of an audible alert, an optical alert, or a combination of an audible and an optical alert.