BACKGROUND

[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.

Field of the invention:

[0002] The subject matter in general relates to feeding bottles. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a system for monitoring the feed to an infant using feeding bottles.

Discussion of the related art:

[0003] Feeding bottles are generally used to feed infants and young children who cannot drink directly using a cup. A conventional feeding bottle comprises a container for holding the fluid, a teat through which the fluid is transferred, a ring to seal the teat to the bottle and a cap to cover the teat.

[0004] In these conventional feeding bottles, the hot fluid within the bottle may cause injury to the infant due to excess heat. Sometimes, the fluid present inside the feeding bottle may turn cold and the baby may not prefer to drink it. Further, the feeding bottles are to be used at a certain angle such that there is a free flow of fluid. The details of feeding the infant at regular intervals of time cannot be monitored using conventional feeding bottles. Sometimes, it might be necessary to monitor the health of the infant by the parent or a medical practitioner from a distant place.

[0005] In light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for an improved feeding bottle.

SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, a system is provided for feeding a baby which comprises a feeding bottle and a remote data processing system. The feeding bottle comprises a heating mechanism for heating fluid present in the feeding bottle, an angle sensor for detecting angle of inclination of the feeding bottle, a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the fluid within the feeding bottle, a second temperature sensor for sensing temperature of an entity external to the feeding bottle and a wireless communication module for communicating information obtained from said sensors to the data processing system. The data processing system is configured to receive information from the wireless communication module of the feeding bottle. It processes the received information and displays the information using a display module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS

[0007] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 comprising a feeding bottle 102 connected to remote data processing systems 106, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the feeding bottle 102 of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0010] FIG. BA is a broken-out isometric view of the feeding bottle 102 with a heating module (212) in the form of a heating rod 308, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3B is a broken-out isometric view the feeding bottle 102 with the heating module (212) in the form of a heating plate 310, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3C is an isometric view of the feeding bottle 102 with a display screen 400 to display information, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3D is a broken-out isometric view of the feeding bottle 102 with an inbuilt battery 312 and an external power supply unit 314, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3E is a broken-out isometric view of the feeding bottle 102 with an angle sensor 316 and a first temperature sensor 318, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3F is a broken-out isometric view of an arrangement of a pulse oximeter 320 and a second temperature sensor 322 in the feeding bottle 102, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3G is an exploded isometric view of the feeding bottle 102 along with the second temperature sensor 322, in accordance with an embodiment; [0017] FIG. 3H illustrates an alternative embodiment of the second temperature sensor 322 on the feeding bottle 102; and

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates the usage of the feeding bottle 102 at a recommended angle, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as a limiting sense.

[0020] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a non exclusive "or", such that "A or B" includes "A but not B", "B but not A", and "A and B", unless otherwise indicated.

[0021] It should be understood, that the capabilities of the invention described in the present disclosure and elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, software, recordable medium or combinations thereof.

OVERVIEW

[0022] The present invention deals with a system 100 comprising a feeding bottle 102 connected to a remote data processing system 106 through a communication network 104. The feeding bottle 102 includes a heating mechanism through which a fluid present inside the feeding bottle 102 is heated to a required temperature. The feeding bottle 102 includes an angle sensor 316 which detects the angle of inclination at which the feeding bottle 102 is used, and generates an alarm 404 if the inclination angle is out of the recommended range. The feeding bottle 102 includes two different temperature sensors, wherein a first temperature sensor 318 detects the temperature of the fluid inside, while a second temperature sensor 322 detects the body temperature of the entity external to the feeding bottle 102. A digital display 400 is arranged on the outer surface of the bottle 102 which displays the results and information from different sensors. The feeding bottle 102 also comprises a wireless communication module 220 for communicating the information obtained from said sensors to the data processing system 106. An inbuilt battery 312 present within the feeding bottle 102 provides required power which aids in proper functioning of various sensors and modules. An external power supplying unit 314 over which the feeding bottle 102 is mounted, provides required power to the heating mechanism 308 for heating the fluid present inside the feeding bottle 102. The feeding bottle 102 is connected to the remote data processing system 106 through wireless communication modules 220 such as Wi-Fi 222 and Bluetooth 224. Further, the feeding bottle 102 comprises a GPS module 226 which identifies the location of the feeding bottle 102.

CONSTRUCTION OF FEEDING BOTTLE

[0023] Referring to the figures, and more particularly to FIGs. 1 and 3A, a system 100 discloses a smart feeding bottle 102 connected to a remote data processing system 106 through a communication network 104. The feeding bottle 102 comprises a container for holding the fluid, a teat 302 through which the fluid is transferred, a ring 304 to seal the teat to the bottle and a cap 306 to cover the teat 302. In an embodiment, the fluid may be milk, water, electrolyte or any other liquid nutritional supplements.

[0024] Now referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of the feeding bottle 102 is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment. The feeding bottle 102 may include a processing module 202, a memory module 204, an input module 206, an output module 208, a display module 210, a heating module 212, an angle sensing module 214, temperature sensing module 216, a pulse oximeter module 218, a communication module 220 comprising a Wi-Fi module 222 and a Bluetooth module 224, and a GPS module 226.

[0025] The processing module 202 is implemented in the form of one or more processors and may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processing module 202 may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described.

[0026] The memory module 204 may include a permanent memory such as a hard disk drive, may be configured to store data, and executable program instructions that are implemented by the processor. The memory module 204 may be implemented in the form of a primary and a secondary memory. The memory module 204 may store additional data and program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Further, the memory module 204 may be volatile memory, such as random-access memory and/or a disk drive, or non-volatile memory. The memory module 204 may comprise of removable memory such as a Compact Flash card, Memory Stick, Smart Media, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital memory, or any other memory storage that exists currently or may exist in the future.

[0027] The input module 206 may provide an interface for input devices such as keypad, touch screen, mouse, microphone and stylus among other input devices.

[0028] The output module 208 may provide an interface for output devices such as display screen, speakers, printer and haptic feedback devices, among other.

[0029] Alternatively, or in addition, the communication module 220 may be used by the feeding bottle 102 to communicate with the remote data processing system 106 via the communication network 104. The communication module 220, as an example, may be a GPS module 226, or other modules that enable telecommunication. The communication module 220 may include a modem, a network interface card (such as Ethernet card), a communication port, or a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slot, among others. The communication module 220 may include devices supporting both wired and wireless protocols. Data in the form of electronic, electromagnetic, optical, among other signals may be transferred via the communication module 220. A Wi-Fi module 222 and Bluetooth module 224 may also be used by the feeding bottle 102 to communicate with the server via the

communication network 104.

[0030] A display module 210, as shown in FIG. 2, may be arranged on the outer surface of the feeding bottle 102. The display module 210 may be of any display type known in the art, for example, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), Light emitting diode displays (LED), Cathode Ray Tube Displays (CRT), Orthogonal Liquid Crystal Displays (OLCD), Light emitting diode displays (OLED) or any other type of display currently existing or which may exist in the future. In an

embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, the display module 210 may comprise a display 400. The display 400 may be used to receive an input from a user. The display 400 may display the results obtained from different modules such as heating module 212, angle sensing module 214, temperature sensing module 216, pulse oximeter module 218 and other modules of the feeding bottle 102. Referring to FIG 3C, one can observe information displayed on the display 400 such as alarm 404, Wi-Fi 406, Bluetooth 408, GPS 410, first temperature reading 412, second temperature reading 416 and pulse oximeter reading 414. The amount of charge 402 available in an inbuilt battery 312 (shown in FIG. 3D) is also displayed in the display 400.

[0031] The heating module 212 may be used to supply heat to the fluid within the feeding bottle 102. The angle sensing module 214 may be used to determine the angle of inclination of the feeding bottle. The temperature sensing module 216 may be used to determine the temperature of the fluid within the feeding bottle 102 and the temperature of the entity that is external to the feeding bottle 102. Pulse oximeter module 218 may be used to determine the heart rate and the blood oxygen saturation.

[0032] Referring to FIGs. 3A and 3B, the feeding bottle 102 comprises a heating module 212 which heats the fluid present inside the feeding bottle 102. The heating module 212 may be either in the form of a heating rod 308 or a heating plate 310. In an embodiment, the heating rod 308 is protruded along the length of the feeding bottle 102, while in another embodiment, a heating plate 310 is arranged at the bottom surface or side walls of the feeding bottle 102 internally. The feeding bottle 102 may be made of plastic, glass or any other suitable material.

In an embodiment, the inner surface of the feeding bottle 102 includes an insulating membrane that retains the heat of the fluid. In another embodiment, the heating module 212 (heating rod 308 and heating plate 310) is preconfigured to heat the fluid present in the feeding bottle 102 to a maximum of 37°C, beyond which, further heating may be restricted.

[0033] The feeding bottle 102 further comprises an external power supply unit 314, which provides the required power to the heating mechanism 308. The feeding bottle 102 may be mounted over the external power supply unit 314 with a locking mechanism to properly mount the feeding bottle 102. The feeding bottle 102 may be mounted over the external power supply unit 314 whenever the fluid inside the feeding bottle 102 needs to be heated. [0034] Referring to FIGs. 3C, 3E and 4, an angle sensing module 214 may be used to regulate feeding of the fluid within the feeding bottle 102 at a recommended angle such that there is a free flow of fluid to an entity external to the feeding bottle 102. Hereinafter, for the ease of explanation, the entity external to the feeding bottle 102 may be referred to as an infant or a baby. The recommended angle may be measured between the axis 404 along the length of the feeding bottle 102 to the planar axis 402 along the surface of the ground. Not feeding along the recommended angle may cause the fluid flow to be too large or too small, resulting in choking the infant or the infant not being able to drink. The feeding bottle 102 includes an angle sensor 316 which detects the angle of inclination of the feeding bottle 102 with respect to the planar axis 402 along the surface of the ground. The angle sensor 316 may comprise a gyroscope. In an embodiment, the angle sensor 316 may comprise at least one of gyroscope, accelerometer or other related sensors. The angle sensor 316 enables generation of an alert in the form of alarm 404 if the angle of inclination is beyond the preconfigured range. In an embodiment, the recommended angle of inclination for feeding the infant at a better flow may be 45 degrees - 55 degrees. In another embodiment, the alert may be one or more of vibration, blinker among others. In yet another embodiment, an alarm 404 is generated not only at the feeding bottle 102, but also at the data processing system 106.

[0035] With reference to FIGs 2, 3C and 3E, the feeding bottle 102 includes a temperature sensing module 216. The temperature sensing module 216 may include a first temperature sensor 318 and a second temperature sensor 322. The first temperature sensor 318 may be used to determine the temperature of the fluid present inside the bottle 102. The temperature of the fluid within the feeding bottle 102 is displayed on the display screen 400 present externally on the feeding bottle 102 and at the data processing systeml06 using the first temperature sensor 318. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 318 may be exposed to the fluid in the feeding bottle 102 or at a place wherein the temperature sensor 318 is in constant contact with the fluid.

[0036] Now, referring to FIG. 3F, the temperature sensing module 216 may comprise a second temperature sensor 322 present externally for detecting the body temperature of the infants.

In an embodiment, the second temperature sensor 322 is an infrared based optical

temperature sensor that may be present on the outer surface of the feeding bottle 102. In another embodiment, as referred in FIG. 3G, the second temperature sensor 322 may be placed at the bottom of the feeding bottle 102, using a recoiling wire 324. The second temperature sensor 322 may be pulled out using a hook 328 and a surface 326 of the second temperature sensor 322 may be place on the forehead or neck region of the infant for determining the body temperature. In yet another embodiment, as referred in FIG. 3H, the second temperature sensor 322 may be attached to the bottom of the feeding bottle 102. The feeding bottle 102 may be taken towards the infant and placed on the forehead or the neck region such that the temperature sensor 322 is in direct contact with the infant.

[0037] In an embodiment, referring to FIGs. 3C and 3F, the pulse oximeter module 218 of the feeding bottle 102 may comprise a pulse oximeter 320. The pulse oximeter 320 may be placed on the external surface of the feeding bottle 102 such that there is a provision for the infant to place a finger. The pulse oximeter 320 detects the heart rate and the blood oxygen saturation of the infant when the finger is placed on it. The pulse rate 414 and the blood oxygen saturation level may be displayed on the digital display 400. In an embodiment, the information generated by the pulse oximeter 320 may be communicated to the data processing system 106.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3D, an in-built battery 312 is present at the bottom of the feeding bottle 102. The in-built battery 312 provides the required power for all the modules of the feeding bottle 102 to perform uninterruptedly. In an embodiment, the in-built battery 312 may be replaceable or may be rechargeable, wherein the in-built battery 312 is recharged using the external power supply unit 314.

[0039] The data obtained from the different modules of the feeding bottle 102 may be communicated to the remote data processing system 106. The remote data processing system 106 may be either a mobile device, laptop, computer, tablet, or server among others. The user operating the remote data processing system 106 may monitor the information obtained as need be. In an embodiment, instructions and input to various modules of the feeding bottle 102 may be communicated from the data processing system 106 to the feeding bottle 102. The functioning of the feeding bottle 102 may be controlled using the data processing system 106. The information between the feeding bottle 102 and the data processing system 106 may be exchanged wirelessly using, as examples, Wi-Fi module 222, Bluetooth module 224 or using wired communication. A user login may be provided for users for controlling and monitoring the data. In an embodiment, a data log may be generated corresponding to the fluid

consumption by the infant on a given day, week, month etc. as per user requirement. [0040] In an embodiment, a GPS module 226 may be used in detecting the location of the bottle 102. The display 400 of the feeding bottle 102 may be used to switch the GPS module 226 on. As an example, the data processing system 106 may be an application installed in the device of the user. The user may be able to locate the exact location of the feeding bottle 102 using the application.

[0041] The system 100 assists a medical practitioner to monitor the health condition of the infant from a distant place. The medical practitioner may be the user operating the data processing system 106. The temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation of the infant can be monitored along with details of fluid consumption. The system 100 helps in increased medical supervision and attention on the infant. Hence, it is observed that the proposed invention promotes the concept of virtual doctor and tele medicine.

[0042] In an embodiment, as mentioned earlier, the data processing system 106 may be operated by a medical practitioner located remotely from the feeding bottle 102. A server may be configured to present information/data collected from the feeding bottle 102 to the data processing system 106 in a desired configuration.

[0043] It may be further noted that, the data processing system 106 may explicitly request for certain information to be retrieved from the feeding bottle 102. As an example, such a request could be routed through a server. As a further example, a medical practitioner may wish to know the body temperature of a baby. The medical practitioner may request for such data using the data processing system 106 at the practitioner's disposal. The request may be routed via a server to the feeding bottle 102. The feeding bottle 102, on receiving the request from the server may output a message, conveying that body temperature of the baby must be read. The output may be in the form of visual, audio or audio-visual message. The message may be, as an example, "check body temperature". The message may be output once, and may remain that way till the feeding bottle 102 is used to check the body temperature, and the same is recorded by the feeding bottle 102. Alternatively, the message may be output at intervals till the feeding bottle 102 is used to check the body temperature, and the same is recorded by the feeding bottle 102.

[0044] The above example was specific to body temperature. Likewise, the medical practitioner or any authorized entity, may use the data processing system 106 to set certain parameters of operation of the feeding bottle 102. As an example, range of angle of feeding may be set by the medical practitioner using the data processing system 106, beyond which an alarm may be generated. Similarly, heating temperature of fluid within the feeding bottle 102 may be set by the medical practitioner using the data processing system 106, beyond which the fluid is not heated. Furthermore, in case the fluid is fed to the baby before the fluid is heated to the prescribed temperature, then alarm may be initiated, and the same may be received by the medical practitioner at the data processing system 106.

[0045] Hence, the system 100 enables medical practitioners, parents or care takers who may not always be near the baby, control how the baby is being fed, closely monitor feeding related information and also know about some important data corresponding to the baby's body.

[0046] As would be understood from the foregoing, a virtual paediatrician module and the feeding bottle are connected. The connected systems enable management of evolution of baby in good condition, in terms of the infant's diet, comfort and that of parents or on health. The virtual paediatrician analyses the health constants and the data received from the feeding bottle. The data received for analysis may include one or more of pulse, oxygen saturation, body temperature, ambient temperature, geolocation of infant, milk temperature, quantity consumed, remaining quantity, positioning of the bottle and cries of the infant, among others.

It may be further noted that, the virtual paediatrician may receive information and analyse in real time to ensure the safety and comfort of the infant and also reassure parents and loved ones.

[0047] In an embodiment, to make virtual paediatrician more realistic and more accurate in analysis, an application integration is provided to give information about weather and the environment of where the infant is.

[0048] As an example, an infant who is in a swampy and wet environment feels a fever. After virtual paediatrician analysis for the constants of health and diet of the baby, the virtual paediatrician may use the data received by feeding bottle on the health constants and the baby's diet, it will also integrate the weather environment to give the first analysis. If the baby is in Europe during the winter season following the health results received and the environment in which it evolves, cold seasons or hot, virtual paediatrician will be able to define the baby's disease. [0049] As yet another example, during winter periods if the baby has difficulty eating and has temperature, the virtual paediatrician may be able to diagnose angina or fever frequent diseases in the baby. The virtual paediatrician may be able to diagnose the same by analysing the health constants received from the baby (pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation), analysing the feeding of the baby (how much quantity consumed, how many bottles) and also analysing the seasons, the weather, the regions of the world, as well as the peaks of surrounding diseases. After analysing all that is listed below, the virtual paediatrician may use predefined computer processable instructions to conclude with angina.

[0050] In an embodiment, and electronic dictionary of childhood illnesses of the regions of the world may be provided within the system. This dictionary may allow the virtual paediatrician to have a big database of all the world's childhood diseases and to enrich it if it is necessary. It shall be appreciated that integrating all the childhood diseases of the world enables virtual paediatrician to be not limited to a country or a region. The virtual paediatrician will be able to intervene anywhere and anytime and be able to give analysis.

[0051] In an embodiment, the system further includes dictionary of all medicines for diseases of all regions of the world. Having integrated the electronic dictionary of all childhood diseases of the world, integration of the electronic dictionary of all the remedies and drugs that go with these diseases further strengthens the system. The dictionary of infantile diseases may be very important in order to recommend to parents the medications or care to be practiced for the child.

[0052] In an embodiment, virtual paediatrician gives advice on well-being and how to manage the stress of baby. The virtual paediatrician can also provide advice, such as, based on the health and diet results received, if virtual paediatrician thinks that the baby has eaten well and that he is not sick, in prevention he can advise to watch his diaper if it is not wet. Depending on where the baby is in the world, the virtual paediatrician may provide advice to live in harmony with the elements that surround the baby.

[0053] It shall be noted that the system includes computer instructions that associate various modules of the system, that is to say, the feeding bottle, weather and environment, regions of the world where the baby is, dictionary of childhood diseases of the regions of the world, dictionary of paediatric medicines for diseases of the regions of the world, analysis of received data such as diet, health data, real-time medical surveillance, order to send patient to a specialist, pulse, oxygen saturation, body temperature (finger), ambient temperature, geolocation of baby, control of milk temperature, quantity consumed, remaining quantity, positioning the bottle and the cries of the baby.

[0054] It shall be noted that the processes described above are described as sequence of steps; this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0055] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0056] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above includes many specifications; these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.