SYSTEM WITH VITAL DATA SENSOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising an evaluation unit and a sensor. The sensor can measure a vital parameter of a living being. The evaluation unit can perform an evaluation based on the measured vital parameter.

[0002] Vital signs such as blood pressure provide information about a living being's current condition. So-called fitness trackers record vital signs and thus provide feedback to an athlete, for example, about their physical condition. Examples of other such systems are described in the publications EP0496196A1, WO2017 / 037250A1, US2016 / 0100696A1, US2015 / 094544A1, and DE102014119315A1.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a further developed system that enables extended functionality in conjunction with other devices.

[0004] To achieve this objective, a system according to the main claim and a use, a method, and a computer program product according to the dependent claims are provided. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0005] To solve this problem, a system with an evaluation unit and a sensor is used. The sensor can measure a vital parameter of a living being. The evaluation unit can perform an evaluation based on the measured vital parameter. The evaluation unit is designed in such a way that, depending on the result of the evaluation, it can send a command signal to an external device, namely a food processor, so that the external device executes an action based on the command signal. This saves the user time and provides a particularly high level of operating convenience.

[0006] A vital parameter refers to a living organism and can be expressed as a metric. Typically, a vital parameter describes a basic function or vital function of the organism. The vital parameter, i.e., the metric, can be determined using a sensor. Examples of vital parameters are body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, or blood pressure. The organism is a human.

[0007] The system, which allows an external device to perform an action based on a measured vital parameter, enables extended functionality in connection with external devices, which is explained below using some examples.

[0008] In an embodiment not covered by the appended claims, the external device can be a front door lock, a roller shutter and / or a smart home server. In one embodiment, the action-triggering result is the living being falling asleep. The external device can thus execute an action or assume a specific operating state immediately after the falling asleep event, i.e. the time of falling asleep. For example, the front door lock can be automatically locked, and roller shutters and / or windows can be automatically closed. In one embodiment, the action-triggering result is the living being waking up. For example, the heating, particularly in the bathroom, can then be activated immediately after the living being wakes up, so that the living being, for example a person, can enter a pre-heated bathroom after waking up.

[0009] In an embodiment not covered by the appended claims, the living being can be an animal or pet. The owner of the animal or pet can be notified immediately after the animal or pet wakes up, for example, to close doors and windows. Alternatively or additionally, the smart home server can be the external device controlled by the command signal so that all doors and windows are closed. For example, this can prevent a cat from being injured by a tilted window.

[0010] If the external device is the smart home server, the room temperature and / or lighting can be changed depending on the result determined by the evaluation, in particular the action-triggering result "undercooled", "overheated", "sleep event" and / or "wake-up event".

[0011] In one embodiment, the room temperature can be adjusted specifically using the command signal, particularly depending on the measured vital parameter, such as body temperature. If the result is "undercooled," the room temperature is automatically increased.

[0012] It may also be possible for a person to get up and take freshly baked rolls and / or a fresh coffee from a food processor when the person reaches the kitchen.

[0013] According to the invention, the action-triggering event is a predicted waking time and / or the time of falling asleep. This enables the food processor to carry out an action depending on the predicted time, thus saving the user a particularly large amount of time. If, for example, the living being is an infant, by predicting the waking time, a food processor can be activated to prepare baby food so early that the milk bottle or baby food is ready shortly before, or at least at the same time as, or approximately at the same time as the infant wakes up. This allows parents to save time and sleep longer. Alternatively or additionally, the external device can be a notification device for one or two people, e.g., for one or both parents. In one embodiment, the system comprises an additional sensor and an additional control unit for both people.Based on the vital parameter measured in each case, which is transmitted to the evaluation unit in the form of a measured value, the current physical condition of the person can be determined.

[0014] In one embodiment, the evaluation unit carries out an evaluation, the result of which indicates the person who, based on the measured vital parameters, is suitable or most suitable among all persons to be notified. In particular, notifying comprises waking a person to be notified if that person is asleep. For example, a person is suitable for notification if they are in a sleep phase that lies above a threshold. This person is then not sleeping deeply, so that waking them up is comparatively less stressful for them. For example, a person is more suitable than another person if the evaluation of the measured vital parameters shows that the person is sleeping less deeply than the other person.

[0015] In one embodiment, the person to be notified is notified in such a way that only the notified person is awakened from sleep, but not another person lying directly next to them. This can be implemented, for example, by a vibrating alarm device that can apply a vibration alarm particularly quietly, for example to a skin surface. Overall, for example, only a parent who is not deeply asleep can be awakened when an infant's awakening or a wake-up time is predicted. They can then run to an external device already activated by the system for preparing a milk bottle and / or baby food, remove the prepared milk bottle or baby food portion, and administer it to the infant. The parents' combined sleep time can thus be maximized.

[0016] If the sensor measures a vital parameter of a living being, it is provided in particular that the sensor transmits a corresponding sensor signal to a control unit connected to the sensor. Preferably, the sensor is connected to the control unit for transmitting the sensor signal or for exchanging data with the control unit. In one embodiment, the sensor and the control unit are integrated in a transmitting device. In one embodiment, the control unit can carry out signal processing of the sensor signal, i.e. a signal conversion and / or signal modification. Preferably, the control unit can carry out an analog-digital conversion and / or a signal modification using an algorithm. A sensor signal is in particular an analog signal whose voltage, current strength and / or frequency correlates with the measured vital parameter, i.e. its measurement value.In a preferred embodiment, the measurement signal generated on the basis of the sensor signal and provided to the evaluation unit corresponds to the measure of the vital parameter. In one embodiment, the sensor signal is forwarded to the evaluation unit by the control unit and / or the transmitting device only in the form of the measurement signal. In particular, the control unit then only performs an analog-to-digital conversion from an analog sensor signal into a digital measurement signal. The measurement signal is preferably digital. In one embodiment, the control unit and / or the transmitting device have a data interface, in particular for data exchange with the evaluation unit. The data interface is preferably configured for wireless data exchange. For example, the data interface is a WLAN interface, radio interface, and / or Bluetooth interface.The measurement signal can thus be sent particularly reliably and wirelessly to a remote and / or mobile evaluation unit.

[0017] In one embodiment, a smartphone or tablet PC comprises the evaluation unit. This allows the number of components for the user to be reduced, allowing particularly simple operation via, for example, an app. In an alternative or supplementary embodiment, the external device comprises the evaluation unit. If the external device comprises the evaluation unit, the command signal is sent, in particular, via a data line or cable. A less reliable wireless interface can then be avoided. In particular, the evaluation unit is provided by implementing program code in a device that is already present for other reasons.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control unit includes the evaluation unit. This reduces the number of components required by the user. If the control unit includes the evaluation unit, data exchange between the control unit and the evaluation unit can take place without a wireless interface, i.e., via a cable connection.

[0019] In one embodiment, the evaluation unit comprises a processor, a memory, and / or computer program code. In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a processor, a memory, and / or computer program code. Computer program code refers to instructions that can be stored in a memory. A processor, a memory, and / or computer program code can be configured such that a method with multiple method steps can be carried out. Method steps can, for example, involve signal processing, evaluation, generating a command signal, sending a command signal to the external device, and / or executing an action.

[0020] An evaluation based on a measured vital parameter is generally performed using an algorithm. The measurement signal and / or the sensor signal can then serve as the input variable(s) for the algorithm. The algorithm outputs the result, which in particular represents predefined states and / or specific state changes. In one embodiment, the result can also be a "null event," i.e., no predefined state or specific state change was determined by the evaluation. The result is then not an action-triggering result. This means that no command signal is generated for an external device, or the command signal is also an empty signal, in which the external device does not perform a specified action based on the command signal.

[0021] In one embodiment, the result can be "hypothermic," "hypothermic," "deep sleep phase," and / or "sleep phase with low sleep depth." The result then represents a predefined state of the living being. It is thus an action-triggering result.

[0022] According to the invention, the result is a "wake-up event," i.e., a transition from a sleep state to a wake-up state, or a "falling asleep event," i.e., a transition from a wake-up state to a sleep state. The result then represents a specific change in the state of the living being. It is thus an action-triggering result. In one embodiment, the result is output in the form of a digital code, for example, "0," "1," "2," "3," or "4."

[0023] In one embodiment, the command signal comprises an assignment to one of several actions stored in the external device. In one embodiment, the command signal comprises an assignment to an external device, so that an action is only executed in the assigned external device based on the command signal. Different actions can thus be specifically triggered on one or more external devices depending on the measured vital parameter.

[0024] The action in an external device is preferably defined by a program stored in a memory, particularly on the external device. The command signal then activates a stored program. Multiple programs can be stored.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the action itself can be specified by the command signal. The command signal then corresponds, for example, to a control signal with control commands for controlling the external device, which implements these control commands. An external device is a standalone and / or existing device of the user. The external device is located at any location and at any distance relative to the sensor that can measure the vital parameter of the living being. The external device generally does not include a sensor that is configured to measure a vital parameter of a living being and is intended for this application.

[0026] In one embodiment, the sensor and a control unit are integrated into a transmitting device. The person's vital signs can thus be measured at any time and provided to the evaluation unit, particularly wirelessly.

[0027] In one embodiment, a sensor signal from the sensor is converted by the control unit into a measurement signal that correlates with the measured vital parameter and is provided to the evaluation unit. This enables wireless transmission of the measurement to the evaluation unit. Furthermore, signal processing can already be performed in the transmitting device to reduce the load on the evaluation unit.

[0028] In one embodiment, the transmitting device is intended and configured to be worn on the body of the living being. "Worn on the body" means wearing it close to the body or directly on the body, such that at least one movement of the body in the region where the transmitting device is worn can be reliably recorded by a sensor. In particular, a fastening device is provided for attaching the transmitting device to the body.

[0029] In one embodiment, the transmitter is integrated into a wristband, an ankle band, a headband, a pair of glasses, a hearing aid, or headphones. Integration into a wristband or ankle band allows for high wearing comfort while maintaining a close fit to the body surface. A headband allows for measurements to be taken directly from the scalp. Glasses, a hearing aid, and headphones allow for direct contact between a sensor and the scalp without causing discomfort to the user.

[0030] In one embodiment, at least two separate receivers and / or sensors are provided on a single living being. This enables a particularly precise evaluation of the body's condition.

[0031] In one embodiment, the sensor is a skin contact sensor for measuring electrical voltage fluctuations on the skin surface of a living being, in particular on the head. The measurement signals for an electroencephalogram can be provided in this way. During the state change from sleep to wakefulness, a measured frequency of the voltage fluctuations changes from alpha waves to beta waves. Conversely, during the state change from wakefulness to sleep, a measured frequency of the voltage fluctuations changes from beta waves to alpha waves. Alpha waves refer to waves with a frequency range between 8 and 13 Hz. Beta waves refer to waves with a frequency range between >13 and 30 Hz. State changes such as a waking event and falling asleep event, as well as states such as deep sleep phases and sleep phases with a shallow sleep depth, can thus be reliably evaluated and output as results.

[0032] In one embodiment, body temperature can be measured alternatively or additionally using a skin contact sensor. Body temperature is a vital parameter that correlates, among other things, with the sleep / wake cycle. Changes in state such as waking up and falling asleep, as well as states such as "hypothermic" and "hyperthermic," can thus be evaluated and output as a result. A skin contact sensor preferably has a skin-compatible contact surface. This can reduce health risks.

[0033] In one embodiment, the evaluation unit is configured to perform a comparison with a threshold value for the evaluation of the measured vital parameter. The sensor signal or the measurement signal is thus compared with a threshold value. In particular, before the sensor signal or the measurement signal is compared with the threshold value, a signal change can be performed using a signal change algorithm of the evaluation unit in order to perform a particularly reliable evaluation.

[0034] In the embodiment that provides a skin contact sensor for measuring electrical voltage fluctuations on the skin surface of the living being, particularly on the head, the threshold value in a preferred embodiment is 11 to 15 Hz, for example 13 Hz. If the measurement signal is initially smaller than the threshold value and then reaches the threshold value, a result associated with the waking event is output in one embodiment. The living being has therefore woken up. If the measurement signal is initially larger than the threshold value and then reaches the threshold value, a result associated with the falling asleep event is output in one embodiment. The living being has therefore fallen asleep.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sensor is a gyrometer. A gyrometer is used, for example, to measure a rotational movement. By measuring the rotational movement, a measure of the activity of the living being can be determined, which can be correlated with a change in state, e.g., waking up. In particular, a change in the direction of a rotational movement is recorded and / or measured per time interval of, e.g., ten seconds. If, for example, at least six changes of direction occur in a ten-second period, this is an indication of a waking state. Likewise, a steep increase in the number of changes of direction within a period of, e.g., ten minutes before waking up, with a particularly approximately constant gradient over time, can be observed. The use of a gyrometer as a sensor thus enables a particularly reliable prediction of the time of waking up. If the measurement signal is smaller than a threshold value, e.g.If the measured signal is greater than the aforementioned threshold value and the threshold value is reached, the result of the evaluation is, in one embodiment, a "wake-up event." If the measured signal is greater than the aforementioned threshold value and the threshold value is reached, the result of the evaluation is, in an alternative or supplementary embodiment, an "impact event." Alternatively or supplementarily, the sensor is a force sensor, a force transducer, a piezo sensor, and / or a strain gauge. The living being is, in particular, an infant.

[0036] In an embodiment not covered by the appended claims, the at least one sensor can be a moisture sensor for detecting a wet diaper and / or sweat secretion, a motion sensor mat for activity measurement, an odor sensor, in particular for methane, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a brain wave sensor for EEG and / or ECG, an oxygen measurement sensor, in particular for determining the sleep phase, an MRI device, in particular for determining a waking time, a thermal imaging camera, a night vision camera, in particular for determining characteristic movement sequences, a camera with color resolution, in particular for assigning skin color, a blood sugar level sensor, a CO2 measuring device for breathing air, a pupil size measuring device, a blink frequency measuring device, in particular for predicting a time of falling asleep and / or a respiratory rate measuring device.In one embodiment, the sensor or sensors are attached to a sleeping place of the living being, in or on a blanket and / or in or on a sleeping bag. One or more sensors can be used to determine a body posture, for example during sleep. In one embodiment, the system distinguishes between body postures assumed during hypothermia and body postures not assumed during hypothermia. Depending on this, for example, a heater is controlled in such a way that hypothermia is avoided. Conversely, in one embodiment of the invention, body postures determined during sleep are used to detect overheating and, depending on this, to control an air conditioning system in such a way that overheating is counteracted.

[0037] In particular, the vital parameters may be one, two or three of the following: body temperature, activity, pulse, blood oxygen level, blood sugar level, brain wave, characteristic movements, characteristic body postures, sweat secretion, CO2 content in the respiratory air, respiratory rate, pupil size and / or blinking frequency.

[0038] In one embodiment, at least two sensors are provided for different vital parameters. A change in state can thus be determined particularly reliably by taking two different vital parameters into account. For example, a body posture and sweat secretion during a living being's sleep can be monitored using suitable sensors, and an air conditioning system can be controlled accordingly to create a comfortable temperature for sleeping.

[0039] In one embodiment, environmental information is additionally taken into account during the evaluation. In particular, the environmental information is the weather or a weather forecast, a lunar phase calendar, a timetable for a bus, train, garbage collection service and / or a robot vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the evaluation unit has an internet interface to connect to a weather service, a smart home server, e.g. with the timetable of the robot vacuum cleaner and / or a public timetable information for buses, trains and garbage collection. In one embodiment, one or more temperature sensors for detecting a room temperature, a brightness sensor for detecting a room brightness, a humidity sensor for detecting a room humidity and / or a microphone for detecting traffic noise, ambient noise or human noise such as talking or snoring are provided.

[0040] In one embodiment, the evaluation unit has a machine learning algorithm for evaluating and / or determining the command signal. A machine learning algorithm for the evaluation enables a physical condition or a change in condition to be determined particularly reliably based on the measured vital parameter. A machine learning algorithm for determining the command signal enables the external device to be prompted to perform a particularly suitable action from several stored actions, taking into account the result of the evaluation. Overall, the use of a machine learning algorithm allows the system to be adapted to the preferences and characteristics of the living being and / or user.

[0041] A machine learning algorithm generally assigns an output variable to one or more input variables and usually outputs this. The output variable can be the result and / or the command signal. A machine learning algorithm is particularly created by a program code or algorithm. In particular, a machine learning algorithm is generated through a model building phase and a subsequent identification phase in order to finally be able to predict a time for the occurrence of a state change in an application phase. In particular, the model building phase takes place at the manufacturer. The identification phase can take place at the manufacturer and / or the end user. The application phase then takes place at the end user. For testing purposes, the application phase can take place at the manufacturer. In the model building phase, a mathematical model, i.e. a system of equations, is created to assign one or more input variables to an output variable.A correlation between one or more vital parameters and a state or a change in state is taken into account, i.e. represented in the mathematical system of equations. Preferably, in the modeling phase, a dynamic model and / or system of differential equations is created for assigning the output variable to an input variable or a combination of input variables. In the model or system of differential equations, the measurement signals of a specified sensor or several specified sensors serve as the input variable(s), and the result and / or the command signal serve as the output variable. In the identification phase, a plurality of value pairs, each with an input variable and an output variable, or each with several input variables and an output variable, are fed to the machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm is thus optimized and adapted to reality.In particular, constants in a differential equation system of the machine learning algorithm are optimized based on the supplied value pairs. By providing a feedback device, the end user can supply the machine learning algorithm with an output variable, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0042] In the application phase, the machine learning algorithm is used to determine, select and / or assign the result and / or the command signal based on the evaluated measurement signals.

[0043] In one embodiment, a feedback device is provided through which a user can provide feedback to the machine learning algorithm. By providing a feedback device, the user can supply an output variable to the machine learning algorithm. In particular, the user can thus provide feedback about the time of occurrence of an event, such as a specific change in state such as "woke up" or a defined state such as "hypothermic." The machine learning algorithm is configured such that the feedback event results in, or ideally should result in, an action-triggering result. The machine learning algorithm can thus, for example, "learn" and take into account typical waking times of a specific infant.

[0044] In one embodiment, the feedback device comprises a button or switch for providing feedback about the occurrence of a defined event. In one embodiment, the feedback device is implemented as an app for a smartphone or tablet PC to enable the input of event-specific feedback.

[0045] In one embodiment, the evaluation unit is configured so that the command signal can trigger activation, opening, and / or unlocking of the external device. In an alternative or supplementary embodiment, the evaluation unit is configured so that the command signal can trigger deactivation, closing, and / or locking. The action is therefore activation, opening, unlocking, deactivation, closing, and / or locking. A kitchen appliance can be activated, for example, to prepare a meal; a front door can be locked, and / or a window can be closed.

[0046] In one embodiment, the evaluation unit is configured so that the command signal can trigger a change in a setting of the external device. The action is therefore a change in a setting of the external device. The external device can thus be adapted to the current physical state of the living being. For example, the set target room temperature of an air conditioning system, which is controlled in particular by the Smart Home server, can be adapted to the body temperature of the living being. According to the invention, the food processor can adapt the recipes to the measured vital parameters of a person as the living being using automatically generated recipes or automatically suggested recipe recommendations. For example, if the body fat percentage is too high, the fat content in the ingredients of a recipe is reduced and / or a recipe with a low fat content is suggested.For people suffering from diabetes, blood sugar can be measured using the sensor and / or a prescription can be adjusted to the current blood sugar.

[0047] Performing an action on a household appliance based on the evaluation of a measured vital parameter allows the household appliance to perform an action tailored to the user's needs without requiring any user intervention. For example, a meal can be prepared automatically and / or in an automated manner based on the measured vital parameter.

[0048] A food processor can automatically adapt displayed recipes to the creature.

[0049] According to the invention, the external device and the action that can be triggered by the command signal is a kitchen appliance for preparing a meal.

[0050] A further aspect of the invention relates to a use of the system according to the previously described aspect of the invention to solve the problem posed at the outset, wherein the result of the evaluation is a sleep-onset event and / or a wake-up event. When a person transitions from the sleep state to the wake-up state, the result of the evaluation, based on the measured vital parameter, systematically indicates that a "wake-up event" or "sleep-onset event" has occurred. For example, a front door can then be locked or unlocked by the command signal according to a stored program. The living being is, in particular, a person.

[0051] In one embodiment of the aforementioned use, the living being is an infant and / or a toddler. Toddlers or infants, who in particular must be bottle-fed, frequently wake up at night and scream or cry, particularly because of hunger. This usually results in both parents waking up, one parent getting up, preparing a bottle of lukewarm milk and / or a meal, calming the infant or toddler, and administering the prepared food. As a result, both the infant or toddler and both parents are often kept awake for extended periods of time several times during the night. By measuring the vital parameters of the infant or toddler to evaluate sleep behavior and activating a kitchen appliance at the appropriate time to prepare a meal for the infant, time can be saved when preparing the meal for the infant.

[0052] In one embodiment, a kitchen appliance can be stocked with baby food the evening before, for example. In an alternative or supplementary embodiment, a milk bottle preparation machine or tea maker can be stocked with powdered milk, for example. The command signal can then be used to automatically prepare the corresponding meal shortly after the child wakes up, for example by warming up a milk bottle or mixing powdered milk and tempered water, and / or to keep the meal at a defined temperature until it is used. This means that the meal can be served immediately after the child and parents wake up, saving or at least reducing the preparation time. This can result in particularly valuable time savings for meal preparation at night and / or reduced germ formation by reducing the time the meal is kept warm.

[0053] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method, in particular according to the aspect of the invention described at the outset, in which a sensor measures a vital parameter of a living being and an evaluation unit carries out an evaluation based on the measured vital parameter. Depending on the result of the evaluation, the evaluation unit sends a command signal to an external device, in particular a household appliance. The external device executes an action based on the command signal. The external device can thus execute an action adapted to the needs of the living being without the living being itself having to take action. Automatic control of an external device, in particular for a pet or animal as the living being, is thus enabled. Further embodiments and advantages, which also relate analogously to this method, are described in connection with the aspect of the invention described at the outset.

[0054] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer program product. The computer program product comprises instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method according to the preceding aspect of the invention. In particular, the computer is the evaluation unit. The features, embodiments, and effects of the system for solving the problem described above also apply analogously to this computer program product.

[0055] Examples are disclosed below to provide a better understanding of the invention.

[0056] They show: Figure 1: Schematic representation of a system that, based on a measured vital parameter, can send a command signal to an external device, which can execute an action based on the command signal, wherein, according to the present invention, the external device is a food processor; Figure 2: Schematic representation of the structure of a system that, based on a measured vital parameter, can send a command signal to an external device, which can execute an action based on the command signal; Figure 3: Schematic representation of a diagram with the frequency of electrical voltage fluctuations measured on a skin surface over time; Figure 4: Schematic representation of a diagram that depicts the measurement signals from a measurement of an activity over time.

[0057] The Figure 1shows a living being 4 wearing a transmitting device 10 with a skin contact sensor 2 on its head and / or another transmitting device 11 with another sensor, in particular a gyrometer 3, on its wrist. The transmitting device 10 can be integrated into glasses or a headband. One embodiment also provides for it to be glued or attached with a plaster. The living being 4 is a human being or a person and can be an infant, a toddler, a man, or a woman. In particular, the skin contact sensor 2 serves to measure an electrical voltage on the surface of the skin, so that voltage fluctuations can be determined from the sensor signal. Alternatively or additionally, the skin contact sensor 2 serves to measure body temperature. The other sensor or the gyrometer 3 is integrated into a wristband in such a way that a movement of the wrist is detected by the other sensor or the gyrometer 3.

[0058] The at least one transmitting device 10, 11 preferably wirelessly transmits the at least one measurement signal 12, 13 to an evaluation unit 1 for evaluation. Depending on the result of the evaluation, the evaluation unit 1 generates a command signal 8, which is transmitted, in particular, wirelessly to at least one external device 5, 6, 7. In particular, as shown, a food processor 5 is provided as the external device. The command signal 8 preferably comprises device assignment information and command information. The command information triggers the execution of the action by a specific external device 5, 6, 7. The device assignment information specifies the addressed external device 5, 6, 7 for which the respective command information is provided. A command signal 8 can preferably comprise several sets of device assignment information and associated command information.Several external devices 5, 6, 7 can thus each execute an action in parallel based on the command signal 8.

[0059] The evaluation unit 1, which receives at least one measurement signal 12, 13 from the at least one transmitting device 10, 11 or the control unit 9 of the transmitting device 10, 11, comprises a processor 14 and a memory 15. In particular, the processor executes steps of a method stored in the form of a program on the memory 15. The program preferably comprises a machine learning algorithm. The evaluation unit 1 generates a command signal 8 depending on a result of the evaluation and sends the command signal 8 to an external device 5, 6, 7, so that the external device 5, 6, 7 executes an action based on the command signal 8, such as switching the light on and / or off via the smart home server 7 or automatically preparing a meal via the kitchen appliance 5 and / or the oven 6.

[0060] The Figure 3schematically illustrates a diagram resolved over time t, in which a measurement curve k1 shows a vital parameter s1 with the measure of a frequency of electrical voltage fluctuations on the skin surface on the head of the living being 4, which was measured by the skin contact sensor 2. In particular, the control unit 9 and / or the evaluation unit 1 comprises an algorithm for determining the frequency from a recorded course of the electrical voltage fluctuations, in particular from an electroencephalogram. During the change of state from the sleep state to the wake state, i.e., during the "waking event," the frequency s1 changes from alpha waves to beta waves. Conversely, the frequency s1 changes from beta waves to alpha waves during the change of state from the wake state to the sleep state, i.e., during the "falling asleep event." A threshold value M1 is provided, in particular, at a frequency of 12, 13, or 14 Hz.The evaluation involves comparing the measurement signal 11 or the measurement curve k1 with the threshold value M1. If the measurement signal is below the threshold value M1, the result is "wake state." If the measurement signal is above the threshold value M1, the result is "sleep state." If the threshold value M1 is exceeded, the result is "wake-up event." If the threshold value M1 is undershot, the result is "sleep-fall event." In . Figure 3 Such an exceedance occurs at the intersection point P1 of the measurement curve k1 with the threshold value M1.

[0061] According to the invention, it is provided to predict an intersection point with a threshold value by extrapolating a measurement curve from measurement signals 11, 12.

[0062] The predicted wake-up time and / or sleep-on time is then displayed as a result. This can result in significant time savings.

[0063] In particular, this can be seen in the example of Figure 3 with the measurement curve k1, the threshold value M1 and the intersection point P1 and / or to the example of Figure 4 with the measurement curve k2, the threshold value M2 and the intersection point P2.

[0064] The Figure 4 schematically illustrates another example of a diagram in which a measurement curve k2 maps a vital parameter s2 with the measure of activity over time t. In particular, the measurement curve corresponds to the measurement signals determined based on the sensor signals of the gyrometer 3, preferably on the wrist of the living being 4. The measure of activity corresponds to the number of changes of direction within a defined period of time, e.g., ten seconds. If a threshold M2 is exceeded, e.g., six changes of direction in a ten-second period, the result of the evaluation is a "wake-up event." Figure 4 Such an exceedance occurs at the intersection point P2 of the measurement curve k2 with the threshold value M2.

Claims

1. System comprising an evaluation unit (1), a sensor (2, 3), and an external device, wherein the sensor (2, 3) can measure a vital parameter of an organism (4) and the evaluation unit (1) allows to conduct an evaluation based on the measured vital parameter, wherein the evaluation unit (1) is configured such that the evaluation unit (1) can send a command signal (8) to an external device (5, 6, 7) in dependency of a result of the evaluation, so that the external device (5, 6, 7) carries out an action based on the command signal (8) wherein the external device (5, 6, 7) is a kitchen appliance (5); wherein the organism (4) is a person, wherein the performed action is an automatic generation of a recipe or automatic suggestion of a recipe recommendation by the kitchen appliance (5), wherein the action-triggering event is a fall-asleep event or a wake-up event of the person; wherein the evaluation unit (1) determines a predicted wake-up time and / or fall-asleep time on the basis of the measured vital parameter, wherein, based on a measurement curve having measurement signals (11, 12), an intersection point with a threshold value is predicted by extrapolating the measurement curve and the intersection point is the predicted wake-up time and / or fall asleep time, and the sensor (2, 3) is a skin contact sensor or a gyrometer.

2. The system of the preceding claim, characterized in that the sensor (2, 3) and a control unit (9) are integrated in a transmitting device (10, 11) and / or a sensor signal of the sensor (2, 3) is converted by the control unit (9) into a measurement signal (12, 13) which correlates with the measured vital parameter and is provided to the evaluation unit (1).

3. The system of the preceding claim, characterized in that the transmitting device (10, 11) is provided and arranged to be worn on the body of the organism (4) and / or is integrated in a wristband, a footband, a headband, glasses, a hearing aid or a headphone.

4. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor is a skin contact sensor (2) for measuring electrical voltage fluctuations on a skin surface of the organism (4).

5. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (1) is configured such that a comparison with a threshold value (M1, M2) is carried out for the evaluation of the measured vital parameter.

6. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two sensors (2, 3) for different vital parameters are provided.

7. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (1) comprises a machine learning algorithm for the evaluation and / or determination of the command signal (8).

8. The system of the preceding claim, characterized in that a feedback unit is provided by which a user can give a feedback to the machine learning algorithm.

9. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (1) is configured such that the command signal (8) can trigger an activation and / or a deactivation of the external device (5, 6, 7).

10. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (1) is configured such that the command signal (8) can trigger a change of a setting of the external device (5, 6, 7).

11. The system of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external device (5, 6, 7) is included in the system.

12. Method in which a sensor (2, 3) measures a vital parameter of an organism (4) and an evaluation unit (1) conducts an evaluation based on the measured vital parameter, wherein the evaluation unit (1) sends a command signal (8) to an external device (5, 6, 7) in dependency of a result of the evaluation, and the external device (5, 6, 7) carries out an action based on the command signal (8), wherein the external device (5, 6, 7) is a kitchen appliance (5); wherein the organism (4) is a person, wherein the performed action is an automatic generation of a recipe or automatic suggestion of a recipe recommendation by the kitchen appliance (5), wherein the action-triggering event is a fall-asleep event or a wake-up event of the person; wherein the evaluation unit (1) determines a predicted wake-up time and / or fall-asleep time on the basis of the measured vital parameter, wherein, based on a measurement curve having measurement signals (11, 12), an intersection point with a threshold value is predicted by extrapolating the measurement curve and the intersection point is the predicted wake-up time and / or fall asleep time, and the sensor (2, 3) is a skin contact sensor or a gyrometer.

13. Computer program product comprising instructions which cause the system of claim 1 to perform the method claims according to claim 12.