WO2017103903A1 - A system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user - Google Patents

A system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017103903A1
WO2017103903A1 PCT/IB2016/057778 IB2016057778W WO2017103903A1 WO 2017103903 A1 WO2017103903 A1 WO 2017103903A1 IB 2016057778 W IB2016057778 W IB 2016057778W WO 2017103903 A1 WO2017103903 A1 WO 2017103903A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
sensors
mattress
control unit
signal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2016/057778
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Fabrizio MAGNI
Lorenzo Mucchi
Federico TRIPPI
Original Assignee
Alessanderx S.P.A.
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Publication date
Application filed by Alessanderx S.P.A. filed Critical Alessanderx S.P.A.
Publication of WO2017103903A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017103903A1/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4806Sleep evaluation
    • A61B5/4815Sleep quality
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4836Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6887Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
    • A61B5/6892Mats
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61NELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N5/0613Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
    • A61N5/0618Psychological treatment
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2560/00Constructional details of operational features of apparatus; Accessories for medical measuring apparatus
    • A61B2560/02Operational features
    • A61B2560/0242Operational features adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2562/00Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
    • A61B2562/02Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
    • A61B2562/0247Pressure sensors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/08Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs
    • A61B5/0816Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/11Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
    • A61B5/1102Ballistocardiography
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M21/00Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
    • A61M21/02Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61NELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N2005/0626Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61NELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N2005/0635Radiation therapy using light characterised by the body area to be irradiated
    • A61N2005/0636Irradiating the whole body
    • A61N2005/0637Irradiating the whole body in a horizontal position
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61NELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N2005/065Light sources therefor
    • A61N2005/0651Diodes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61NELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06Radiation therapy using light
    • A61N2005/0658Radiation therapy using light characterised by the wavelength of light used
    • A61N2005/0662Visible light
    • A61N2005/0663Coloured light

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user.
  • the system according to the invention is able to detect a range of vital parameters of the user and at the same time a series of parameters of the environment in which the user lies down, and to derive from this detection of parameters a plurality of information related to the quality of the user's sleep.
  • One object of the system according to the invention therefore is to allow monitoring of the user's vital parameters without being cumbersome or annoying element for the same.
  • Yet another object of the system according to the invention is to be able to record the data collected to assess the quality of sleep of the user over time.
  • a further object of the system is to obtain a processing of the data in real time. This allows integrating the system with apparatus which contribute to the correct sleep of the user or to his/her relax.
  • the system aims at providing the user with an appealing graphical interface tool comfortable to read, so that he/she can monitor the parameters of his/her sleep in real time.
  • a further object of the system according to the invention is to detect the parameters of interest with a safe technology for the user, without the use of radio waves.
  • figure 1 schematically shows the system according to the invention, and in particular its association with a mattres, some of the functions being represented in a conceptual manner;
  • figure 2 is a again a schematic representation of the system according to the invention and in particular of specifical anti-snoring feature, some of the functions being represented in a conceptual manner.
  • the system comprises a detection unit 1 connected to a mattress M and a data reception/acquisition control unit 2, which is placed in the room where the mattress is arranged, and is adapted to communicate with the detection unit 1 through a reception signal 20.
  • the detection unit is connected to first sensors 3, which detect certain vital parameters of a user lying on mattress M.
  • the main vital parameters detected are the heartbeat and respiratory frequency, as well as a motion index. The way in which the system detects and acquires these parameters will be explained hereafter.
  • sensors for detecting the body temperature and for presence detection may also be inserted.
  • the first sensors 3 comprise at least a first filament piezoelectric sensor for retrieving vital parameters, a second strip piezoelectric sensor for detecting the presence of a user on the mattress (via a pressure detection), and a temperature probe.
  • the detection unit 1 consists of a printed circuit board (not shown) which performs the analog/digital conversion of the data acquired by the first sensors 3; further details on this PCB and its operation will follow.
  • the first sensors 3, in a preferred embodiment, are coil cables inserted into a special shaped casing contained within the mattress.
  • the casing is inserted approximately in the area of the mattress where the user's shoulders are placed in the rest position.
  • the sensors are placed between the layers/slabs of the mattress, or in general at about 3/4 of its thickness starting from the lower side. This positioning is particularly advantageous because the arrangement of the sensors deep in the mattress, inserted between its slabs allows using the rigidity thereof to the purpose of signal filtering. That is, there is a selective filtering effect of the major harmonics. Specifically, it has been observed that the selected positioning allows discriminating, as will be made clearer hereinafter, the pulse given by the heartbeat recorded by the piezoelectric sensors.
  • the positioning described above means that the sensors are placed at about 3/4 of the thickness of the mattress, starting from the lower side.
  • the detection unit 1 is connected to means for chromotherapy, and in particular at least one strip of LEDs 4 (conceptually shown in figure 1 ).
  • the control unit separately controls two strips of LEDs.
  • the circuit board of the control unit 1 therefore has also the task of powering and controlling the strip of LEDs, to determine the color change and/or light intensity thereof.
  • the chromotherapy phase can be manually actuated by the user or automatically managed by the system, if pre-set in alarm mode.
  • the data reception and storage control unit 2 includes an acquisition board (not shown), a Wireless Access Point adapter for connection to a mobile device and/or a home router, a processor, a memory card (preferably not removable), a RJ45 port for recovering the data stream processed by the analog/digital conversion board received via the first sensors 3.
  • second sensors 4 are installed in the data reception/acquisition control unit for detecting parameters of the room where the mattress is placed. These second sensors include, for example and in particular, at least humidity, ambient light, sound pressure and ambient temperature sensors.
  • the system can comprise a third control unit 5 (shown schematically in figure 2), i.e. a motor control unit which controls and regulates the actuation of frame R of mattress M.
  • this third control unit 5 will be installed on movable frames.
  • the third control unit allows the user to manage the inclination of the head and legs through a special remote control or via an application directly from the smartphone.
  • the motor control unit is connected to an environmental microphone 6 and comprises a microprocessor and a low-pass filtering stage. Such a filtering stage is adapted to discriminate, through the use of the environmental microphone, the user's possible snoring.
  • the system recognizes snoring through a frequency discrimination of the signal recorded by the microphone, starting from the average pattern of a snoring effect (identified in the literature with respect to the average respiratory frequency in the resting phase, which ranges from 50 to 150 Hz).
  • the system according to the invention provides that, if the control unit detects the snoring, it activates the motors of the frame and automatically provides to move the latter so as to place the user in a position such as to reduce or completely eliminate the effect of snoring.
  • the motor control unit will also be provided with a Bluetooth system (BLE) for controlling the automations via mobile device (such as conceptually shown schematically in figure 2).
  • BLE Bluetooth system
  • the system also has a number of preset automatic features that respond to the user's requirements by providing to its positioning through the movement of the frame; among these, a main one is achieving the position defined as optimal for the anti- snoring functionality.
  • the system also implements in the frame automatic features the possibility to use the mobile device as an alarm clock, in conjunction with the respective movement of the frame.
  • the system in order to calculate the physiological signals, and in particular the heartbeat and the respiratory frequency, the system, that is, the detection unit 1 , performs a sampling of the signal in parallel to a numerical filtering for noise and mains disturbances rejection with band pass filter for extracting the desired signals, and a digital to analog conversion of the signals read by the first sensors, thus minimizing the length of the cables (thereby limiting the introduction of electrical noise).
  • the signals thus processed are, in summary, sent to the data detection unit 1 that processes them on the basis of a thrustness signal, that is, a reliability value of the data recorded, generated by the control unit 1 .
  • the processing of the data on the basis of the thrustness signal, allows separating the physiological parameters mentioned above from signals determined by involuntary movements of the user during sleep.
  • the values are sent to the data reception/acquisition control unit 2, which provides to the organization and storage thereof.
  • the system once acquired the signal with high frequency sampling, performs a first processing of the data saving the RAW measure (i.e. the raw signal detected by the sensor) with a sampling at 1 Hz, after applying the low pass filter for the discrimination of the sought signals.
  • the RAW measure i.e. the raw signal detected by the sensor
  • the low pass filter for the discrimination of the sought signals.
  • the periodic components of the system i.e. heart rate and breathing
  • a further low- pass filter such periodic components are extracted from the signal and it is verified that there is continuity in the analysis frequency.
  • card 1 processes the analog signals retrieved by the sensors, and only once they are converted into digital it sends the information to board 2, which provides for the packing of such information according to a communication protocol, saves it and sends it upon call to a mobile device or to a server for recording the data or for remote viewing.
  • the system is able to detect the breathing frequency and the heartbeat and separate them from signals due to movements of the user.
  • the system filters the input signal on the basis of the read voltage value that is higher than that of the previous state, caused by the response of the piezoelectric sensors, and the thrustness signal.
  • the latter is in essence a threshold discrimination system, which if in the filtering mechanism referred to above has prolonged interruptions, provides an indication that the signal is not reliable and therefore that the user is not sleeping or not sleeping well, in a satisfactory manner.
  • the signals of vital parameters have an excursion in terms of significantly lower voltage than the impulse generated by the movement. Therefore, by applying a voltage discriminator threshold, the two phenomena are separated.
  • the electric signal will be markedly lower than the fixed threshold in terms of voltage.
  • This value will be a function of the base or starting value that will be determined by a person lying down on the mattress, and will be given by the person's weight, leading to a constant voltage value, on which the signal of the breath and of the heartbeat will modulate in amplitude.
  • the voltage value processed by the system and which will be processed by the threshold discriminator is calculated as the convolution of the three voltage signals of such first sensors, in function of the weight of the user lying down on the mattress.
  • the system therefore works in a differential manner with respect to the voltage value generated by the initial pressure of the body and by the same threshold. Sudden movements or strong fluctuations will lead to exceeding the threshold, thereby producing an increase of the motion index (which will also be a restless sleep index).
  • the system i.e. the reception/processing control unit 2 also provides the option to connect wirelessly with a router or with a mobile device via a special application. Therefore, the data collected by the system will be visible in real-time viewing or recorded after a sleep session.
  • this may be done from a mobile device or remotely, interfacing with a home router.
  • the recording through the special application on the mobile device it is possible to record the data collected and processed by the system during the night, to display them upon awakening and create a log of the resting conditions session after session.
  • the user within the home network (connected to the system via point-to-point connection or via the home router) uses his/her application on which he/she is logged with his/her personal account. From the app, after logging in the user can start a recording session when he/she lies down. Upon awakening, still through the application, the user can stop the recording.
  • the application does not record the data during the sleeping period, but simply identifies two time instants (beginning and end of the recording) referred to the punctual situation of the data recorded by the system.
  • the data block referred to the recorded range is transferred from the system memory to the database recorded on the application.
  • the application will therefore contain a user database that collects all the recorded sessions and with which the user can view the past history and the statistics of the quality of his/her sleep over different timeframes (daily/monthly/yearly).
  • the personal database recorded on the single application can be transferred via a mobile network or home router to a second archive located on an external server.
  • the system according to the invention has several advantages.
  • the system can be associated with a mattress but also detect the quality of sleep of two users simultaneously (double mattress), or it can be implemented so that another person will view in real time the data of the rest of a user.
  • This application is used in particular if a mother wants to monitor her child's sleep.
  • the system allows data to be recorded without the user needing to wear any sensors, therefore there is no disturbance introduced by clothing, or by having to wear bracelets.
  • the data is processed in real time and continuously recorded, they can be read in real time or recorded.
  • the reading of data can be done directly on the device or remotely, by connecting the system to the router via wireless or mobile devices.
  • the recording of the session is easy and only requires the start and end of data recording command by the user. Therefore, the user is not obliged to keep the mobile device near the bed.
  • the mobile device may also be switched off, without affecting the correct data reading.
  • Yet a further advantage of the system according to the invention is that it does not emit radiated waves in the acquisition phase of the vital parameters, in particular by the sensors incorporated in the mattress.
  • the system is also able to determine a motion index, determined by the frequency of values beyond the threshold. This motion index allows determining, along with other vital parameters, a quality value of the user's sleep.
  • the detection and recording of environmental parameters allow carrying out a post-process analysis, in order to determine how the environmental conditions affect the quality of the user's sleep.
  • the system allows generating a series of tips to the user, through the analysis performed on the remote server so as to guide him/her every day in his/her night's rest.
  • the system will identify the non-appropriate user's sleep and suggest for example to change the frame location or the room temperature, etc. This is to allow the user to achieve an optimal sleep quality.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user. In particular, the system according to the invention is able to detect a range of vital parameters of the user and at the same time a series of parameters of the environment in which the user lies down, and to derive from this detection of parameters a plurality of information related to the quality of the user's sleep.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE QUALITY OF SLEEP OF A USER
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user. In particular, the system according to the invention is able to detect a range of vital parameters of the user and at the same time a series of parameters of the environment in which the user lies down, and to derive from this detection of parameters a plurality of information related to the quality of the user's sleep.
Background of the invention
Systems are known in the prior art which detect the quality of sleep of a user. For example, the system described in WO2015/092148 can be considered. This system monitors the vital parameters of an individual during sleep, such as in particular the heartbeat and respiratory rate.
However, this and other known systems have drawbacks. In particular, the known system described above and in general other known systems involve the use of devices connected directly to the user or, in any case, that must be worn by the user during sleep. Although these devices may be small and unobtrusive (they are often integrated into bracelets, necklaces, t-shirts, etc.), they are still a trouble for the user and may be uncomfortable during sleep.
Summary of the invention
One object of the system according to the invention therefore is to allow monitoring of the user's vital parameters without being cumbersome or annoying element for the same.
Yet another object of the system according to the invention is to be able to record the data collected to assess the quality of sleep of the user over time.
A further object of the system is to obtain a processing of the data in real time. This allows integrating the system with apparatus which contribute to the correct sleep of the user or to his/her relax.
In addition, the system aims at providing the user with an appealing graphical interface tool comfortable to read, so that he/she can monitor the parameters of his/her sleep in real time. A further object of the system according to the invention is to detect the parameters of interest with a safe technology for the user, without the use of radio waves.
Said objects are achieved with the system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user according to the invention, the essential features of which are defined by the first of the appended claims. Other advantageous features are those encompassed by the other claims.
Brief description of the drawings
The features and the advantages of the system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user according to the invention will now be apparent from the following descriptionof an embodiment thereof, made by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:
figure 1 schematically shows the system according to the invention, and in particular its association with a mattres, some of the functions being represented in a conceptual manner;
figure 2 is a again a schematic representation of the system according to the invention and in particular of specifical anti-snoring feature, some of the functions being represented in a conceptual manner.
Detailed description of the invention
With reference to the above figures, the system according to the invention comprises a detection unit 1 connected to a mattress M and a data reception/acquisition control unit 2, which is placed in the room where the mattress is arranged, and is adapted to communicate with the detection unit 1 through a reception signal 20.
The detection unit is connected to first sensors 3, which detect certain vital parameters of a user lying on mattress M. In detail, the main vital parameters detected are the heartbeat and respiratory frequency, as well as a motion index. The way in which the system detects and acquires these parameters will be explained hereafter. As will also be discussed shortly, sensors for detecting the body temperature and for presence detection may also be inserted.
Into greater detail, the first sensors 3 comprise at least a first filament piezoelectric sensor for retrieving vital parameters, a second strip piezoelectric sensor for detecting the presence of a user on the mattress (via a pressure detection), and a temperature probe. The detection unit 1 consists of a printed circuit board (not shown) which performs the analog/digital conversion of the data acquired by the first sensors 3; further details on this PCB and its operation will follow.
The first sensors 3, in a preferred embodiment, are coil cables inserted into a special shaped casing contained within the mattress. The casing is inserted approximately in the area of the mattress where the user's shoulders are placed in the rest position. Moreover, the sensors are placed between the layers/slabs of the mattress, or in general at about 3/4 of its thickness starting from the lower side. This positioning is particularly advantageous because the arrangement of the sensors deep in the mattress, inserted between its slabs allows using the rigidity thereof to the purpose of signal filtering. That is, there is a selective filtering effect of the major harmonics. Specifically, it has been observed that the selected positioning allows discriminating, as will be made clearer hereinafter, the pulse given by the heartbeat recorded by the piezoelectric sensors.
In numerical terms, the positioning described above means that the sensors are placed at about 3/4 of the thickness of the mattress, starting from the lower side.
Moreover, the detection unit 1 is connected to means for chromotherapy, and in particular at least one strip of LEDs 4 (conceptually shown in figure 1 ). In a preferred embodiment, the control unit separately controls two strips of LEDs.
The circuit board of the control unit 1 therefore has also the task of powering and controlling the strip of LEDs, to determine the color change and/or light intensity thereof. The chromotherapy phase can be manually actuated by the user or automatically managed by the system, if pre-set in alarm mode.
The data reception and storage control unit 2 includes an acquisition board (not shown), a Wireless Access Point adapter for connection to a mobile device and/or a home router, a processor, a memory card (preferably not removable), a RJ45 port for recovering the data stream processed by the analog/digital conversion board received via the first sensors 3. In turn, second sensors 4 are installed in the data reception/acquisition control unit for detecting parameters of the room where the mattress is placed. These second sensors include, for example and in particular, at least humidity, ambient light, sound pressure and ambient temperature sensors.
In addition to what is described above, the system can comprise a third control unit 5 (shown schematically in figure 2), i.e. a motor control unit which controls and regulates the actuation of frame R of mattress M. Of course, this third control unit 5 will be installed on movable frames. In particular, the third control unit allows the user to manage the inclination of the head and legs through a special remote control or via an application directly from the smartphone. The motor control unit is connected to an environmental microphone 6 and comprises a microprocessor and a low-pass filtering stage. Such a filtering stage is adapted to discriminate, through the use of the environmental microphone, the user's possible snoring. The system recognizes snoring through a frequency discrimination of the signal recorded by the microphone, starting from the average pattern of a snoring effect (identified in the literature with respect to the average respiratory frequency in the resting phase, which ranges from 50 to 150 Hz).
The system according to the invention provides that, if the control unit detects the snoring, it activates the motors of the frame and automatically provides to move the latter so as to place the user in a position such as to reduce or completely eliminate the effect of snoring. The motor control unit will also be provided with a Bluetooth system (BLE) for controlling the automations via mobile device (such as conceptually shown schematically in figure 2).
The system also has a number of preset automatic features that respond to the user's requirements by providing to its positioning through the movement of the frame; among these, a main one is achieving the position defined as optimal for the anti- snoring functionality. The system also implements in the frame automatic features the possibility to use the mobile device as an alarm clock, in conjunction with the respective movement of the frame.
As regards the operation of the system according to the invention, in order to calculate the physiological signals, and in particular the heartbeat and the respiratory frequency, the system, that is, the detection unit 1 , performs a sampling of the signal in parallel to a numerical filtering for noise and mains disturbances rejection with band pass filter for extracting the desired signals, and a digital to analog conversion of the signals read by the first sensors, thus minimizing the length of the cables (thereby limiting the introduction of electrical noise).
The signals thus processed are, in summary, sent to the data detection unit 1 that processes them on the basis of a thrustness signal, that is, a reliability value of the data recorded, generated by the control unit 1 . The processing of the data, on the basis of the thrustness signal, allows separating the physiological parameters mentioned above from signals determined by involuntary movements of the user during sleep. Once processed, the values are sent to the data reception/acquisition control unit 2, which provides to the organization and storage thereof.
Going even further into detail, the system, once acquired the signal with high frequency sampling, performs a first processing of the data saving the RAW measure (i.e. the raw signal detected by the sensor) with a sampling at 1 Hz, after applying the low pass filter for the discrimination of the sought signals. From the stream of RAW data, via an algorithm which may consist of a fast Fourier transform FFT, the periodic components of the system (i.e. heart rate and breathing) are isolated. Via a further low- pass filter, such periodic components are extracted from the signal and it is verified that there is continuity in the analysis frequency. Therefore, card 1 processes the analog signals retrieved by the sensors, and only once they are converted into digital it sends the information to board 2, which provides for the packing of such information according to a communication protocol, saves it and sends it upon call to a mobile device or to a server for recording the data or for remote viewing.
As just explained, therefore, the system is able to detect the breathing frequency and the heartbeat and separate them from signals due to movements of the user.
However, if the movement of the user is too frequent, the signal becomes saturated and the system is not able to return a correct data. Therefore, in order to prevent the system from also detecting transient moments of rest, i.e. those in which the user is not actually asleep but is moving, the system filters the input signal on the basis of the read voltage value that is higher than that of the previous state, caused by the response of the piezoelectric sensors, and the thrustness signal.
The latter is in essence a threshold discrimination system, which if in the filtering mechanism referred to above has prolonged interruptions, provides an indication that the signal is not reliable and therefore that the user is not sleeping or not sleeping well, in a satisfactory manner. In fact, the signals of vital parameters have an excursion in terms of significantly lower voltage than the impulse generated by the movement. Therefore, by applying a voltage discriminator threshold, the two phenomena are separated.
In steady rest conditions, the electric signal will be markedly lower than the fixed threshold in terms of voltage. This value will be a function of the base or starting value that will be determined by a person lying down on the mattress, and will be given by the person's weight, leading to a constant voltage value, on which the signal of the breath and of the heartbeat will modulate in amplitude. The voltage value processed by the system and which will be processed by the threshold discriminator is calculated as the convolution of the three voltage signals of such first sensors, in function of the weight of the user lying down on the mattress. The system therefore works in a differential manner with respect to the voltage value generated by the initial pressure of the body and by the same threshold. Sudden movements or strong fluctuations will lead to exceeding the threshold, thereby producing an increase of the motion index (which will also be a restless sleep index).
The system, i.e. the reception/processing control unit 2, also provides the option to connect wirelessly with a router or with a mobile device via a special application. Therefore, the data collected by the system will be visible in real-time viewing or recorded after a sleep session.
As regards the real-time viewing, this may be done from a mobile device or remotely, interfacing with a home router.
As regards the recording, through the special application on the mobile device it is possible to record the data collected and processed by the system during the night, to display them upon awakening and create a log of the resting conditions session after session. To start recording data, the user within the home network (connected to the system via point-to-point connection or via the home router) uses his/her application on which he/she is logged with his/her personal account. From the app, after logging in the user can start a recording session when he/she lies down. Upon awakening, still through the application, the user can stop the recording.
Advantageously, the application does not record the data during the sleeping period, but simply identifies two time instants (beginning and end of the recording) referred to the punctual situation of the data recorded by the system.
When the user stops recording the session, the data block referred to the recorded range is transferred from the system memory to the database recorded on the application.
The application will therefore contain a user database that collects all the recorded sessions and with which the user can view the past history and the statistics of the quality of his/her sleep over different timeframes (daily/monthly/yearly).
The personal database recorded on the single application can be transferred via a mobile network or home router to a second archive located on an external server.
The system according to the invention has several advantages. In detail, the system can be associated with a mattress but also detect the quality of sleep of two users simultaneously (double mattress), or it can be implemented so that another person will view in real time the data of the rest of a user. This application is used in particular if a mother wants to monitor her child's sleep.
Moreover, the system allows data to be recorded without the user needing to wear any sensors, therefore there is no disturbance introduced by clothing, or by having to wear bracelets.
The data is processed in real time and continuously recorded, they can be read in real time or recorded. The reading of data can be done directly on the device or remotely, by connecting the system to the router via wireless or mobile devices.
As regards the latter, the recording of the session is easy and only requires the start and end of data recording command by the user. Therefore, the user is not obliged to keep the mobile device near the bed. In addition, the mobile device may also be switched off, without affecting the correct data reading.
Yet a further advantage of the system according to the invention is that it does not emit radiated waves in the acquisition phase of the vital parameters, in particular by the sensors incorporated in the mattress.
Moreover, in addition to the heartbeat and the respiratory rate, the system is also able to determine a motion index, determined by the frequency of values beyond the threshold. This motion index allows determining, along with other vital parameters, a quality value of the user's sleep.
Moreover, the detection and recording of environmental parameters (humidity, light, temperature, sound pressure) by the system allow carrying out a post-process analysis, in order to determine how the environmental conditions affect the quality of the user's sleep.
In order to obtain the maximum communication bandwidth of the data processed between the two control units and manage the power supply for the LEDs, it is preferable to use a Cat5 Ethernet cable with RJ45 connectors. However also other solutions, although less advantageous, may still be implemented without the system being altered in its main components.
Finally, the system allows generating a series of tips to the user, through the analysis performed on the remote server so as to guide him/her every day in his/her night's rest. In particular, by recording the conditions and the quality of sleep, the system will identify the non-appropriate user's sleep and suggest for example to change the frame location or the room temperature, etc. This is to allow the user to achieve an optimal sleep quality.
The present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is understood that other embodiments may exist that relate to the same inventive scope, all falling within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1 . A system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user, said system comprising:
first sensors (3) adapted to be inserted in a mattress (M) and such as to detect at least the presence of a user on said mattress, its heartbeat, its respiratory rate;
a detection unit (1 ) adapted to be connected to said first sensors to acquire the signal and adapted to convert the signal of said sensors from analogic to digital;
a control unit (2) for the receiving and the acquisition of data connected in a logical manner to said detection unit (1 ), said control unit (2) being adapted to receive said analogic signals from said detection unit (1 ) and to store and organize them;
second sensors (4) of said control unit (2) for the detections at least of the value of humidity, light, sound pressure and temperature of the environment in which said mattress is placed;
means for chromo-therapy (4) associated with said detection unit
(1 );
a third control unit (5) connected to an environmental microphone (6), said third control unit (5) adapted to be operatively connected to a bed frame (R) on which said mattress is placed to command the movement of said bed frame on the basis of the noise level measured by said environmental microphone (6)
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said control unit (2) comprises a Wireless Access Point for connection with a mobile device and/or to a home router.
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for chromotherapy comprise at least one strip of LEDs.
4. The system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said third control unit (5) activates a microprocessor and a stage of filtering, the latter discriminating in frequency the effect of snoring.
5. The system according to claim 4, whereby the discrimination frequency is obtained on the basis of an average signal that identifies the respiratory rate of the user in the sleeping phase.
6. The system according to any of the preceding claims wherein said first sensors (3) are inserted in the mattress in a position at 3/4 of its thickness.
7. The system according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said control unit activates a Bluetooth system for the driving of said bed frame of said mattress via a mobile device.
8. The system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said first sensors (3) comprise a first filament piezoelectric sensor.
9. The system according to claim 7, wherein said first sensors further comprise a second piezoelectric sensor to detect, by means of a pressure detection, the presence of a user on the mattress.
10. The system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first sensors further comprise a temperature sensor.
1 1 . The system according to any of the previous claims, wherein said detection unit (1 ) processes the signal of said first sensor substantially on the basis of a signal of thrustness, consisting of a discriminator threshold value in frequency and potential difference.
12. The system according to claim 1 1 , wherein said threshold discriminator is a function of a base signal determined on the basis of a convolution of the voltage signals of said first sensors, in function of the weight of the user lying down on the mattress.
PCT/IB2016/057778 2015-12-18 2016-12-19 A system for detecting the quality of sleep of a user WO2017103903A1 (en)

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