C ROSS R E F E R E NC E TO R E LAT E D APPL ICATIONS

[0001 ] This appH cats on i s rel ated to Indi an patent appl i cati on S er. N os. 201641003985 f i I ed on February 04, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BAC K G ROUND

FIE L D OF INV E NTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to sleep monitoring and tracking systems, and more particularly to unobtrusive and non-intrusive sleep monitoring and tracking systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RE LATE D ART

[0003] A lot of lifestyle illnesses are directly related to poor sleeping habits. Studies have shown that sleep disorder is widespread and eventually has an adverse impact on long term health. However, there are very few solutions to measure, store and retrieve sleep related data on a daily basis.

[0004] An existing sleep monitoring and tracking device includes a wearable device. The wearable device is in form of a wrist band that is primarily made for tracking user activity and sleep. However, it is quite inaccurate. Additional disadvantage associated with the device is, it is intrusive, as the user has to wear it during sleep.

[0005] Another solution describes mobile phone applications for sleep tracking. However, such applications are highly inaccurate, and require the mobile phone to be kept near the head of the user, which may pose a health hazard.

[0006] Further, sleep monitoring solutions include a non-contact sleep monitoring system that monitors sleep using breathing and body movement detection, a pill that goes under the pillow for sensing sleep, a non-contact sleep monitoring system which is unobtrusively installed on the mattress, and accompanied by an intuitive web application that provides comprehensive reports about physical recovery, stress levels, and sleep quality, and a strip of sensors that stick on the mattress near the chest area. However, none of them are very accurate.

[0007] Hence there exists a need for a non- interfering sleep tracking system that monitors and tracks sleep related parameters for the occupier/user in an accurate manner.

OBJ E CTS OF T H E INV E NTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sleep monitoring and tracking system that measures, stores and retrieves sleep related data on a periodic basis.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a sleep monitoring and tracking system that is non-i ntrusive and does not requi re the user to wear the system.

[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sleep monitoring and tracking system that is safe, accurate, and unobtrusive.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide body vitals like pulse rate, heart rate variability, respiration rate and body movements during sleep.

[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide room temperature and humidity throughout the duration of sleep and correlate it with sleeping patterns and body vitals.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide snoring instances.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide sleeping postures.

BRIE F SUM MARY

[0015] A sleep monitoring and tracking system is provided. The sleep monitoring and tracking system comprising a sensing device for measuring sleep related data of an occupant and a server communicatively coupled to the sensing device via a communication network. The sensing device comprises a set of sensor units configured to sense bedtime- related data of the occupant and a transmitter unit for transmitting occupancy and/or the bedtime- related data. The server comprises a communication module for receiving bedtime- related data of the occupant from the sensing device, a processor for processing the bedtime- related data of the occupant to generate sleep related data for the occupant, a memory for storing sleep related data of the occupant and a User Interface (UI) for providing display of sleep related data of the occupant. A method of analyzing sleep data and identifying sleep pattern and sleep stages namely light sleep, deep sleep and RE M sleep of a user using the sleep monitoring and tracking system is also described.

BRIE F DE SC RIPTION OF T H E DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG .1 is a block diagram of a sleep monitoring and tracking system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG .2 is a schematic diagram of a sensor unit of the sleep monitoring and tracking system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG .3 is a block diagram of a server of the sleep monitoring and tracking system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] FIG .4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of sensing sleep pattern of the user using the sleep monitoring and tracking system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL E D DE SC RIPTION OF T H E E M BODIM E NTS

[0020] The foil owing detailed description of illustrative embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers. [0021] The invention is described in detail below with reference to several embodiments and numerous examples. Such discussion is for purposes of illustration only. Modifications to examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. Terminology used throughout the specification and claims herein is given its ordinary meaning as supplemented by the discussion immediately below. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms , ^' an_ and ^' the _. include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] The invention is based on the principle of ballistocardiography. Ballistocardiography is a non-invasive method of measuring the ballistic forces on the heart and body.

[0023] FIG . 1 is an example of a sleep monitoring and tracking system 100 as described in one embodiment of the invention. The sleep monitoring and tracking system 100 comprises a sensing device 102 and a server 106 in communication with the sensing device 102 via a communication network 125. The sensing device 102 includes a set of sensor units 110 and a transmitter unit 112. The server 106 receives data from the sensing device 102 and processes the same to identify sleep pattern and body vitals of the user.

[0024] The sleep sensing device 102 may detect whether the user is awake, asleep, restless, erratically breathing, sick, shouting, etc. Accordingly, the sensing device 102 comprises multiple sets of sensor units 110 for sensing sleep related variables for each occupant on the mattress. FIG .2 illustrates a senor unit 110 as described in one embodiment of the invention. Each set of sensor units 110 comprises an array of Piezoelectric Poly V inyl i dene Fluoride (PV DF) sensors. These sensors sense the vibrations produced by the body by conducting periodic or ongoing automatic measurements related to occupancy and/or bedtime- related data.

[0025] In one embodiment, bedtime- related data includes micro and macro vibration data produced by the user ^' s body such as but not limiting to heartbeat, inhalation, exhalation, body movements, muscle twitches and snoring. [0026] Each sensor unit 110 may be capable of sensing multiple occupancy and/or bedtime- related parameters. For example, each sensor unit 110 may monitor occupancy (e.g., bed occupancy, motion, breathing, heart rate, rate of movement, temperature, etc.). In one embodiment, one or more sets of sensor units 110 may be employed for detecting bedtime- related parameters for each occupant/user.

[0027] Further, the sensors in each set of sensor units 110 may be coupled to each other using a metal conductor such as copper. Skilled artisans shall however appreciate the use of other metals exhibiting required electrical conductivity. The sensors are connected to each other on the positive side whereas the negative side of each sensor is grounded.

[0028] In one embodiment set of sleep sensors may be integrated into a sensor housing and positioned within a bedroom, above a bed and below a mattress.

[0029] FIG .3depicts the server 106 of the sleep monitoring and tracking system 100. The server 106 is operable to receive data streams from the sensing device 102 via a communication network 125. Examples of networks 125 include Internet, cloud networks 125, local area network 125 (LA N), wide area networks 125 (WAN), virtual private networks 125 (V PN), wireless networks 125 (using 802.11, for example), and/or cellular networks 125 (using 3G and/or LTE, for example), etc.

[0030] The server 106 receives data from the sensing device 102 and analyzes/processes the same to generate sleep related data for the user. Accordingly, the server 106 may be a computing device operable to receive data streams from sensor units 110, store and/or process data, and/or transmit data and/or data summaries.

[0031] The server 106 may include memory 122, a processor 124 and a communication module 126. The processor 124 may be a general purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor 124 may be configured to retrieve data from and/or write data to the memory 122. The memory 122 may be, for example, a random access memory (RA M), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (E PROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (E E PROM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, cloud storage, and/or so forth. In one embodiment, the server 106 may include one or more hardware- based modules (e.g., DSP, FPGA, ASIC) and/or software- based modules (e.g., a module of computer code stored at the memory 122 and executed at the processor 124, a set of processor- readable instructions that may be stored at the memory 122 and executed at the processor 124) associated with executing an application, such as, for example, receiving, processing and displaying data from sensor units 110.

[0032] Further, the server 106 may include a database 128 (e.g., in memory and/or through a wired and/or a wireless connection) containing location, occupancy and/or bedtime- related data received from the sensor units 110. Additionally, the server 106 may store the processed bedtime- related data i.e, the sleep related data of the occupant in the database 128.

[0033] The communication module 126 may comprise a receiver module and a transmitter module. The receiver module is configured to receive occupancy and/or bedtime- related data from the transmitter unit 112 of the sensi ng devi ce 102 via the network 125.

[0034] The transmitter module of the communication module 126 is configured to transmit the processed sleep data to a communication device 108 via the communication network 125.

[0035] In one embodiment, the communication device 108 may be a personal computing device, among other things, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a tablet personal computer (PC), a control panel, an indicator panel, a multi-site dashboard, an IPOD.RTM., an IPA D.RTM., a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or any other suitable device operable to send and receive data and display data. The communication device may have a dedicated application for accessing bedtime- related data or sleep data. Alternatively, the communication device may access bedtime- related data or sleep data through a web interface. [0036] The server 106 may further comprise a User Interface 130 (UI). The User Interface 130 may be directly coupled to the database 128 so as to facilitate display of sleep related data stored in the database 128. The User Interface 130 may be a television, a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a Light E mitting Diode (L E D) monitor and/or the like. In one embodiment, the User Interface 130 may include, for example, a High Definition Multimedia Interface 130.TM. (HDMI) connector, a V ideo Graphics Array (VGA) connector, a Universal Serial Bus.TM. (USB) connector, a tip, ring, sleeve (TRS) connector, and/or any other suitable connector operable to couple the server 106 to a display unit.

[0037] Upon determining the occupant is in bed, the sensing device 102 may monitor bedtime- related data of the occupant. T he sensed data is subsequently transmitted to the server 106.

[0038] In one embodiment, the server 106 may "pull" the data streams, e.g., by querying the sensor units 110. In another embodiment, the data streams may be "pushed" from the sensor units 110 to the server 106. For example, the sensor units 110 may be configured to transmit data as it is generated by or entered into that device. In some instances, the sensor units 110 may periodically transmit data (e.g., as a block of data or as one or more data points) to the server 106. Accordingly, the sensing device 102 may include a memory for storing bedtime- related data.

[0039] In one embodiment, the bedtime- related data obtained by the sensing device 102 is encrypted using known encryption standards. The encrypted data is transmitted over to the server 106 via a secured communication channel. This ensures confidentiality and integrity of the sensed data. To provide an additional level of security, a client-server authentication based on publ i c key certif i cates i s empl oyed for authenti cati on of the sensi ng devi ce 102.

[0040] The server 106 extracts vital parameters such as heart rate, breathing rate, and movement data of the user based on the bedtime- related data measured/sensed by the sensing device 102. In an embodiment the server 106 implements classification hypothesis and neural network 125 on the extracted features using chronological sleep stage information from polysomnography. Further, snoring instances and sleeping posture may also be identified from the bedtime- related data sensed by the sensi ng devi ce 102.

[0041] More specifically, the server 106 predicts the sleep stage of the user by employing a machine learning algorithm that takes heart rate, breathing rate, movement data and bedtime- related data as input from the sensing device 102. The server 106 predicts the sleep stage as one of Non Rapid Eye Movement (NRE M) stage and Rapid Eye Movement (RE M) stage. Further, the Non Rapid Eye Movement (NRE M) stage can be divided into one of the first, second, and third stages namely NRE M 1, NRE M 2 and NRE M 3. Each of the sleep stages may be defined by certain parameters, such as but not limiting to, frequency contents. The four stages RE M, NRE M1, NRE M2 and N R E M 3 may be seen as ref I ecti ng different f requenci es and thereby state different frequency content profiles.

[0042] The server 106 converts the data pertaining to prediction of sleep stages, heart rate, breathing rate, movement, bedtime- related data from sensing device 102 and saves into the database 128, in suitable file format for display. The sleep data thus generated includes sleep related details (sleep time, duration, stages), body vitals (heart and breathe rate variations) and ambient conditions (room temperature and relative humidity). Further, sleep data can be summarized to provide daily, weekly and monthly trends.

[0043] The sleep data can subsequently be displayed using the User Interface (UI) 130, locally and/or on the cloud and/or on the communication device 108. Accordingly, the communication device 108 may have a dedicated application directed to accessing and displaying the sleep data of a selected user using an authorization code.

[0044] In one embodiment, a smart alarm can be set either in the User Interface 130 or in the communication device 108 that is set to provide an indication to the occupant user after the completion of predetermined number of sleep cycles.

[0045] In one embodiment, upon detecting one or more sleep irregularities of the occupant, such as restlessness, an irregular heart rate or breathing rate and/or snoring beyond a predetermined level, a notification may be generated and sent to a designated recipient In one exemplary embodiment, the designated recipient may be a doctor or a care taker and/or relative of the occupant.

[0046] Further, the notification may also include a suggestion for remedifying the sleep irregularity, the suggestion chosen from a database that lists sleep irregularly mapped against a suggestion for remedifying the irregularity. In one embodiment, suggestion may include correlating food intake or behavior with desired sleep pattern. Accordingly, suggestion may include modifications in food intake and/or lifestyle changes.

[0047] In an additional embodiment, the sensing device 102 may include sensors for recording ambient conditions such as room temperature, humidity, light, air quality and noise levels around the user. The server 106 may correlate the room temperature and humidity with sleeping patterns and body vitals.

[0048] In another additional embodiment, the user may enter his/her daily routine (such as coffee consumption, stress levels, exercise etc.) via the User Interface 130 or the communication device 108. T he server 106 may correlate the dai ly routi ne with sleepi ng patterns and body vitals.

[0049] In an alternate embodiment, the sensing device 102 may transmit sleep data to a local computing device (not shown). Accordingly, the processing of the sleep data may be shared between the local computing device (not shown) and the server 106. In such a scenario, the server 106 may perform additional processing on signals received from the local computing device (not shown).

[0050] Data transmission between the sensing device 102 and the local computing device (not shown) may occur via, for example, frequencies appropriate for a personal area network 125 (such as BLUETOOTH. RTM. or IR communications) and/or local or wide area network 125 frequencies such as radio frequencies specified by the IE E E 802.15.4 standard, among others. [0051] In an additional embodiment, the sleep monitoring and tracking system 100 has provision for compatibility with Internet of Things which involve smart locks, smart lights, etc.

[0052] FIG .4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of analyzing sleep data and identifying sleep pattern of a user using the sleep monitoring and tracking system 100.

[0053] At step 402, the sleep monitoring and tracking system 100 operates in a low power mode. At step 404, it is checked, if the user is on the mattress/bed. If the user is found to be on bed, then at step 406, it is checked which sensor units 110 are active, and the corresponding piezo electric sensors are measured. In an embodiment, selective sensing is performed by the sensor units 110 by identifying one or more active piezo electric sensors. If the user is not found to be on bed, the process goes back to step 402. At step 408, the data from the sensing device 102 is combined into single binary format and transmitted to the server 106. At step 410, the bedtime- related data corresponding to the user is divided into a plurality of sub intervals. At step 412, each sub interval is classified in terms of sleep stages based on the features extracted from the bedtime- related data in each time interval, wherein the stages are defined by specific parameters such as frequency contents. At step 414, the sleep stages may be categorized into Non Rapid Eye Movement (NRE M) and Rapid Eye Movement (RE M) stages, each of the sleep stages being defined by selected frequency contents and at step 416, the processed sleep data is displayed.

[0054] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor 124, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor 124, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer- readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor 124, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. [0055] In addition, any disclosure of components contained within other components or separate from other components should be considered exemplary because multiple other architectures may potentially be implemented to achieve the same functionality, including incorporating all, most, and/or some elements as part of one or more unitary structures and/or separate structures.

[0056] Computer- readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer- readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, E E PROM, flash memory 122, CD-ROM, DV D, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general -purpose or special -purpose computer, or a general -purpose or special -purpose processor 124. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer- readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DV D), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer- readable media.

[0057] While the invention has been described in detail, modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Such modifications are also to be considered as part of the present invention. In view of the foregoing discussion, relevant knowledge in the art and references or information discussed above in connection with the Background of the Invention, the inventions of which are all incorporated herein by reference, further description is deemed unnecessary. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the invention and portions of various embodiments may be combined or interchanged either in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.