HYDRATION MONITORS AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

A hydration monitor comprising: a container (1) for holding and dispensing a hydration liquid: a volume sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of the hydration liquid in the container: a location sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current location of the container.

Claims

1. A hydration monitor comprising: a container for holding and dispensing a hydration liquid; a volume sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of the hydration liquid in the container; and a location sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current location of the container.

2. The hydration monitor according to claim 1 comprising a memory for storing the data representative of the current quantity of hydration liquid in the container and the data representative of the current location of the container, the data stored being updated according to change with time in the data derived by the volume sensor and the location sensor.

3. The hydration monitor according to claim 1, wherein the volume sensor is operable to derive data representative of the current quantity of hydration liquid in the container in accordance with reflections from a surface of the hydration liquid received by a receiver of a light beam or an audio beam transmitted from a transmitter.

4. The hydration monitor according to claim 1, wherein the volume sensor is located beneath, or at the bottom of, the container or wherein the volume sensor is located above or at the top of the container.

5. The hydration monitor according to claim 4, wherein the volume sensor includes a transmitter for transmitting a beam of ultrasonic pulses through the hydration liquid for downward reflection from an under-surface of the hydration liquid to a receiver or wherein the volume sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of hydration liquid in the container from a change in the combined weight of the container and the hydration liquid therein, resulting from a change in the amount of hydration liquid in the container.

6-7. (canceled)

8. The hydration monitor according to claim 1, wherein the location sensor comprises a first part on or in the container and a second part at a relatively fixed location relative to the container.

9. (canceled)

10. The hydration monitor according to claim 1 comprising an orientation sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current orientation of the container.

11. (canceled)

12. The hydration monitor according to claim 1 comprising a temperature sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current temperature of the hydration liquid in the container.

13. (canceled)

14. The hydration monitor according to claim 1 comprising a combination of a container and a hub.

15. The hydration monitor according to claim 14, wherein the container and the hub are interengagable with one another.

16. (canceled)

17. The hydration monitor according to claim 1 comprising: a lid arrangable at least partially over an internal volume of the container.

18. (canceled)

19. The hydration monitor according to claim 1 comprising a hydration sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person in close proximity to the hydration monitor and/or comprising one or more light sources.

20. (canceled)

21. The hydration monitor according to claim 2 comprising a data transfer device operable to transmit or transfer data stored in the memory to a data processing device.

22. (canceled)

23. A system for monitoring hydration of one or more people within an area to be monitored comprising: one or more hydration monitors, each hydration monitor being assigned to a given person within the area to be monitored; a data processing device arranged to: receive raw data from the one or more hydration monitors; and process the raw data to produce one or more final reportable events; a database arranged to store data relating to the or each final reportable event; and a presentation engine operably connected to the database and arranged to produce a presentation utilising the data relating to one or more of the final reportable events.

24. The system for monitoring hydration according to claim 23, wherein: one or more of the hydration monitors is/are a hydration monitor comprising: a container for holding and dispensing a hydration liquid; a volume sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of the hydration liquid in the container; and a location sensor operable to derive data dependent on the current location of the container; and/or wherein the raw data received from the hydration monitor(s) are stored in an analytics engine memory.

25. (canceled)

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein: processing the raw data includes identifying one or more events of potential interest.

27-29. (canceled)

30. The system according to claim 23, wherein, in the data processing device, a processor is arranged to carry out a processing method including one or more of the following steps: pre-processing the raw data, including validating and cleaning the raw data, to produce clean data; analysing the clean data to identify potential events of interest; assigning a confidence level to each potential event of interest; checking and revising the confidence level assigned to each potential event of interest as new data are supplied to the data processing device; if the confidence level does not pass a first confidence threshold, then the potential event of interest is considered erroneous or should be consolidated and labelled a non-event; if the confidence level assigned to an event of potential interest passes the first confidence threshold, then the event of potential interest becomes a reportable event; assigning a confidence level to the or each reportable event; assessing the confidence level assigned to the or each reportable event against a second confidence threshold; marking a reportable event as a final reportable event if the confidence level assigned to the reportable event passes the second confidence threshold; if the confidence level does not pass a second confidence threshold, then the reportable event is considered erroneous or should be consolidated and labelled a non-event.

31. The system according to claim 23, wherein the presentation engine is arranged to augment the presentation with data from one or more other sources.

32. (canceled)

33. A method for monitoring hydration of one or more people within an area to be monitored comprising: collecting raw data from one or more hydration monitors, each hydration monitor being assigned to a given person within the area to be monitored; processing the raw data to produce one or more final reportable events; and producing a presentation utilising the data relating to one or more of the final reportable events.

34. (canceled)

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the method is performed using a system comprising: the one or more hydration monitors; a data processing device arranged to: receive the raw data from the one or more hydration monitors; and process the raw data to produce the one or more final reportable events; a database arranged to store data relating to the or each final reportable event; and a presentation engine operably connected to the database and arranged to produce the presentation utilising the data relating to one or more of the final reportable events.

Description

[0112] Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0113] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydration monitor comprising a combination of a jug and a smart hub;

[0114] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hydration monitor shown in FIG. 1;

[0115] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hydration monitor comprising a combination of a beaker and a smart hub;

[0116] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the hydration monitor shown in FIG. 3;

[0117] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another hydration monitor comprising a combination of a beaker and a smart hub;

[0118] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the hydration monitor shown in FIG. 5; and

[0119] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a system for monitoring hydration.

[0120] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a hydration monitor 1 comprising a combination of a container in the form of a jug 2 and a smart hub 4 connected to an underside of a base portion 6 of the jug 2.

[0121] The jug 2 may have any capacity. The jug 2 may have a capacity of at least 200 ml or at least 250 ml. The jug may have a capacity of up to 2 litres. For example, the jug 2 may have a capacity of 200 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 litre or 1.5 litres.

[0122] The jug 2 has a continuous side wall 12 extending upwards from the base portion 6. The continuous side wall 12 extends around an internal volume of the jug 2. A handle 8 extends outwards from the continuous side wall 12. A pouring spout 14 is provided at the top of the continuous side wall 12. The pouring spout 14 is located diametrically opposite from the handle 8. The handle 8 has a softer grip 22 disposed thereon.

[0123] A lid 10 sits on top of the continuous side wall 12 and extends over the internal volume of the jug 2, the pouring spout 14 and an upper portion of the handle 8. The lid 10 has a magnet hub 20 attached thereto. The magnet hub 20 has two magnets 26 attached thereto.

[0124] The base portion 6 comprises a base shell 24 beneath and sealed from the internal volume of the jug 2. The base shell 24 houses a container circuit board 26 and three magnets 28 equally spaced around an imaginary circle lying in a substantially horizontal plane within the base shell 24. An underside of the base shell 24 is adapted to be connected to the smart hub 4, in use. The underside of the base shell 24 may be termed a connection plate.

[0125] The smart hub 4 is disposed beneath the jug 2. In use, the jug 2 may be placed on, and connected to, the smart hub 4. When a user wants to pour liquid from the jug 2 or fill the jug 2 with water from a tap, the user can disconnect or undock the jug 2 from the smart hub 4. Between uses of the jug 2, the jug 2 may be connected to or docked with the smart hub 4.

[0126] The smart hub 4 comprises a smart hub top shell part 16 and a smart hub bottom shell part 18. Together, the smart hub top shell part 16 and the smart hub bottom shell part 18 define a cavity. A battery 34, an induction coil 32 and a smart hub circuit board 30 are housed in the cavity.

[0127] An upper surface of the smart hub top shell part 16 is adapted to be connected to the underside of the base shell 24 of the jug 2. In this example, the underside of the base shell 24 of the jug 2 and the upper surface of the smart hub top shell part 16 are adapted to be connected to each other magnetically.

[0128] An underside of the smart hub bottom shell part 18 is adapted to be stood on a surface such as a table or other item of furniture. For instance, the underside of the smart hub bottom shell part 18 may be provided with one or more non-slip feet (not shown).

[0129] The smart hub 4 may be configured to be connectable to an external power source, e.g. a mains electricity supply.

[0130] The jug 2 comprises a volume sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of a hydration liquid in the jug 2. The volume sensor includes a transmitter such as a piezoelectric transmitter for transmitting a beam of ultrasonic pulses through the hydration liquid for downward reflection from an under-surface of the hydration liquid to a receiver. The functions of the transmitter and the receiver may be shared in a single device, e.g. a single piezoelectric device, or provided by separate devices, housed in the base portion 6 and operably connected to the container circuit board 26.

[0131] The hydration monitor 1 includes a location sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current location of the jug 2. The location sensor comprises a first part (not shown) housed in the base portion 6 and operably connected to the container circuit board 26 and a second part (not shown) housed in the smart hub 4 and operably connected to the smart hub circuit board 30. Hence, in use, the location of the second part will generally be relatively fixed relative to the location of the first part. The first part and the second part are in wireless communication with each other, e.g. via infrared, Bluetooth or WiFi. Data dependent on the distance of the first part from the second part is obtainable from the wireless communication between the first part and the second part. Data dependent on the current location of the container is derivable from the data dependent on the distance of the first part from the second part.

[0132] The hydration monitor 1 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current temperature of the hydration liquid in the jug 2. The temperature sensor may comprise a thermistor. In other implementations, the temperature sensor may comprise a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector or a semiconductor-based sensor.

[0133] One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided in the base portion 6 of the jug 2. The LEDs may provide, in use, a form of night light or lamp. The colours and/or intensities of the emitted light may be variable according to user preference.

[0134] The jug 2 comprises an orientation sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current orientation of the jug 2. The orientation sensor is housed in the base portion 6 and operably connected to the container circuit board 26. For instance, the orientation sensor may comprise an accelerometer.

[0135] The smart hub 4 includes a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmitter (not shown) to enable wireless communication with other devices, in particular to transmit raw data from the sensors to a data processing device or analytics engine.

[0136] The smart hub 4 comprises one or more indicator lights (not shown), e.g. to provide visual information about the current state of the hydration monitor 1.

[0137] A hydration sensor is disposed in the handle 8. The hydration sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person in close proximity to the hydration monitor. The hydration sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person when the person touches the hydration sensor. The hydration sensor may comprise, for example a bio-impedance sensors or a galvanic skin resistance sensor.

[0138] The hydration monitor 1 comprises a memory for storing locally the data from the sensors. The data stored in the memory is updated according to change with time in the data from the sensors.

[0139] The memory may be located in the base portion 6 and/or the smart hub 4.

[0140] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a hydration monitor 100 comprising a combination of a container in the form of a beaker 102 and a smart hub 104 connected to an underside of a base portion 106 of the beaker 102.

[0141] The beaker 102 may have any capacity.

[0142] The beaker 102 has a continuous side wall 112 extending upwards from the base portion 106. The continuous side wall 112 extends around an internal volume of the beaker 102. Two handles 108 extend outwards from diametrically opposed portions of the continuous side wall 112. The handles 108 each have a softer grip 122 disposed thereon.

[0143] A lid 110 is fitted to the top of the continuous side wall 112 and extends over the internal volume of the beaker 106. The lid 110 includes a pouring spout 114 through which a user may drink fluid out of the beaker 106.

[0144] The base portion 106 comprises a base shell 124 beneath and sealed from the internal volume of the beaker 102. The base shell 124 is formed of an upper base shell part 136 and a lower base shell part 138. The base shell 124 houses a container circuit board 126 and two magnets 128 equally spaced around an imaginary circle lying in a substantially horizontal plane within the base shell 124. An underside of the lower base shell part 138 is adapted to be connected to the smart hub 104, in use. The underside of the lower base shell part 138 may be termed a connection plate.

[0145] The smart hub 104 is disposed beneath the beaker 102. In use, the beaker 102 may be placed on, and connected to, the smart hub 104. When a user wants to pour liquid from the beaker 102 or fill the beaker 102 with water from a tap, the user can disconnect or undock the beaker 102 from the smart hub 104. Between uses of the beaker 102, the beaker 102 may be connected to or docked with the smart hub 104.

[0146] The smart hub 104 comprises a smart hub top shell part 116 and a smart hub bottom shell part 118. Together, the smart hub top shell part 116 and the smart hub bottom shell part 118 define a cavity. A battery 134, an induction coil 132 and a smart hub circuit board 130 are housed in the cavity. An adhesive pad 142 sticks the battery 134 to the smart hub circuit board 130.

[0147] The smart hub 104 includes two magnets 140, which are aligned with the magnets 128 in the base shell 124 when, in use, the beaker 102 is docked with the smart hub 104.

[0148] An upper surface of the smart hub top shell part 116 is adapted to be connected to the underside of the lower base shell part 138 of the beaker 102. In this example, the underside of the base shell 124 of the beaker 102 and the upper surface of the smart hub top shell part 116 are adapted to be connected to each other magnetically.

[0149] An underside of the smart hub bottom shell part 118 is adapted to be stood on a surface such as a table or other item of furniture. For instance, the underside of the smart hub bottom shell part 118 may be provided with one or more non-slip feet (not shown).

[0150] The smart hub 104 may be configured to be connectable to an external power source, e.g. a mains electricity supply.

[0151] The beaker 102 comprises a volume sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of a hydration liquid in the beaker 102. The volume sensor includes a transmitter such as a piezoelectric transmitter for transmitting a beam of ultrasonic pulses through the hydration liquid for downward reflection from an under-surface of the hydration liquid to a receiver. The functions of the transmitter and the receiver may be shared in a single device, e.g. a single piezoelectric device, or provided by separate devices, housed in the base portion 106 and operably connected to the container circuit board 126.

[0152] The hydration monitor 100 includes a location sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current location of the beaker 102. The location sensor comprises a first part (not shown) housed in the base portion 106 and operably connected to the container circuit board 126 and a second part (not shown) housed in the smart hub 104 and operably connected to the smart hub circuit board 130. Hence, in use, the location of the second part will generally be relatively fixed relative to the location of the first part. The first part and the second part are in wireless communication with each other, e.g. via infrared, Bluetooth or WiFi. Data dependent on the distance of the first part from the second part is obtainable from the wireless communication between the first part and the second part. Data dependent on the current location of the container is derivable from the data dependent on the distance of the first part from the second part.

[0153] The hydration monitor 100 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current temperature of the hydration liquid in the beaker 102. The temperature sensor may comprise a thermistor. In other implementations, the temperature sensor may comprise a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector or a semiconductor-based sensor.

[0154] One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided in the base portion 106 of the beaker 102. The LEDs may provide, in use, a form of night light or lamp. The colours and/or intensities of the emitted light may be variable according to user preference.

[0155] The beaker 102 comprises an orientation sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current orientation of the beaker 102. The orientation sensor is housed in the base portion 106 and operably connected to the container circuit board 126. For instance, the orientation sensor may comprise an accelerometer.

[0156] The smart hub 104 includes a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmitter (not shown) to enable wireless communication with other devices, in particular to transmit raw data from the sensors to a data processing device or analytics engine.

[0157] The smart hub 104 comprises one or more indicator lights (not shown), e.g. to provide visual information about the current state of the hydration monitor 100.

[0158] A hydration sensor is disposed in each of the handles 108. The hydration sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person in close proximity to the hydration monitor. The hydration sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person when the person touches the hydration sensor. The hydration sensor may comprise, for example a bio-impedance sensors or a galvanic skin resistance sensor.

[0159] The hydration monitor 100 comprises a memory for storing locally the data from the sensors. The data stored in the memory is updated according to change with time in the data from the sensors.

[0160] The memory may be located in the base portion 106 and/or the smart hub 104.

[0161] FIGS. 5 and 6 show another hydration monitor 100 comprising a combination of a container in the form of a beaker 102 and a smart hub 104 connected to an underside of a base portion 106 of the beaker 102.

[0162] The beaker 102 may have any capacity.

[0163] The beaker 102 has a continuous side wall 112 extending upwards from the base portion 106. The continuous side wall 112 extends around an internal volume of the beaker 102. Two handles 108 extend outwards from diametrically opposed portions of the continuous side wall 112. The handles 108 each have a softer grip 122 disposed thereon.

[0164] A lid 110 is fitted to the top of the continuous side wall 112 and extends over the internal volume of the beaker 106. The lid 110 includes a pouring spout 114 through which a user may drink fluid out of the beaker 106.

[0165] The base portion 106 comprises a base shell 124 beneath and sealed from the internal volume of the beaker 102. The base shell 124 is formed of an upper base shell part 136 and a lower base shell part 138. In this example, the upper base shell part 136 is integrally formed with the beaker 102. The base shell 124 houses a container circuit board 126. An underside of the lower base shell part 138 is adapted to be connected to the smart hub 104, in use. The underside of the lower base shell part 138 may be termed a connection plate.

[0166] The smart hub 104 is disposed beneath the beaker 102. In use, the beaker 102 may be placed on, and connected to, the smart hub 104. When a user wants to pour liquid from the beaker 102 or fill the beaker 102 with water from a tap, the user can disconnect or undock the beaker 102 from the smart hub 104. Between uses of the beaker 102, the beaker 102 may be connected to or docked with the smart hub 104.

[0167] The smart hub 104 comprises a smart hub top shell part 116 and a smart hub bottom shell part 118. Together, the smart hub top shell part 116 and the smart hub bottom shell part 118 define a cavity. A battery 134, an induction coil 132 and a smart hub circuit board 130 are housed in the cavity. An adhesive pad 142 sticks the battery 134 to the smart hub circuit board 130.

[0168] Disposed upon and connected to the smart hub circuit board 130 are a reset button 150 and a standby button 152. The reset button 150 and standby button 152 are disposed at opposing sides of the smart hub circuit board 130. The reset button 150 is configured such that when pressed by a user, one or more functions and/or settings of the smart hub circuit board 130 are reset back to a pre-determined configuration. In some embodiments the reset button 150 is configured such that it must be held for a pre-determined period of time, such as 5 seconds or 10 seconds for example, before the one or more functions and/or settings are reset. The standby button 152 is configured such that when pressed by a user, the smart hub circuit board 130 enters a standby mode. By pressing the standby button 152 again the smart hub circuit board 130 will no longer be in the standby mode.

[0169] An upper surface of the smart hub top shell part 116 is adapted to be connected to the underside of the lower base shell part 138 of the beaker 102. In this example, the underside of the base shell 124 of the beaker 102 and the upper surface of the smart hub top shell part 116 are adapted to be connected to each other mechanically via a bayonet-type fitting.

[0170] An underside of the smart hub bottom shell part 118 is adapted to be stood on a surface such as a table or other item of furniture. For instance, the underside of the smart hub bottom shell part 118 may be provided with one or more non-slip feet (not shown).

[0171] The smart hub 104 may be configured to be connectable to an external power source, e.g. a mains electricity supply.

[0172] The beaker 102 comprises a volume sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current quantity of a hydration liquid in the beaker 102. The volume sensor includes a transmitter such as a piezoelectric transmitter for transmitting a beam of ultrasonic pulses through the hydration liquid for downward reflection from an under-surface of the hydration liquid to a receiver. The functions of the transmitter and the receiver may be shared in a single device, e.g. a single piezoelectric device, or provided by separate devices, housed in the base portion 106 and operably connected to the container circuit board 126.

[0173] The hydration monitor 100 includes a location sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current location of the beaker 102. The location sensor comprises a first part (not shown) housed in the base portion 106 and operably connected to the container circuit board 126 and a second part (not shown) housed in the smart hub 104 and operably connected to the smart hub circuit board 130. Hence, in use, the location of the second part will generally be relatively fixed relative to the location of the first part. The first part and the second part are in wireless communication with each other, e.g. via infrared, Bluetooth or WiFi. Data dependent on the distance of the first part from the second part is obtainable from the wireless communication between the first part and the second part. Data dependent on the current location of the container is derivable from the data dependent on the distance of the first part from the second part.

[0174] The hydration monitor 100 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current temperature of the hydration liquid in the beaker 102. The temperature sensor may comprise a thermistor. In other implementations, the temperature sensor may comprise a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector or a semiconductor-based sensor.

[0175] One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided in the base portion 106 of the beaker 102. The LEDs may provide, in use, a form of night light or lamp. The colours and/or intensities of the emitted light may be variable according to user preference.

[0176] The beaker 102 comprises an orientation sensor (not shown) operable to derive data dependent on the current orientation of the beaker 102. The orientation sensor is housed in the base portion 106 and operably connected to the container circuit board 126. For instance, the orientation sensor may comprise an accelerometer.

[0177] The smart hub 104 includes a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transmitter (not shown) to enable wireless communication with other devices, in particular to transmit raw data from the sensors to a data processing device or analytics engine.

[0178] The smart hub 104 comprises one or more indicator lights (not shown), e.g. to provide visual information about the current state of the hydration monitor 100.

[0179] A hydration sensor is disposed in each of the handles 108. The hydration sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person in close proximity to the hydration monitor. The hydration sensor is operable to derive data dependent on the current hydration of a person when the person touches the hydration sensor. The hydration sensor may comprise, for example a bio-impedance sensors or a galvanic skin resistance sensor.

[0180] The hydration monitor 100 comprises a memory for storing locally the data from the sensors. The data stored in the memory is updated according to change with time in the data from the sensors.

[0181] The memory may be located in the base portion 106 and/or the smart hub 104.

[0182] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a system for monitoring hydration. The system 1000 comprises at least one hydration monitor. Each hydration monitor may be one of the hydration monitors disclosed herein, e.g. the hydration monitor 1, the hydration monitor 100 or the hydration monitor 100. In FIG. 7, the hydration monitor 1 is shown. The hydration monitor 1 is assigned to a given person within an area to be monitored.

[0183] The hydration monitor 1 continuously monitors the volume of fluid in the container and the location of the container. The hydration monitor 1 may also monitor the temperature of the fluid in the container, the orientation of the container and the given person's hydration level. Raw data from the sensors in the hydration monitor is stored locally in the memory associated with the hydration monitor 1. The hydration monitor 1 transfers or transmits this raw data to an analytics engine 1002 comprising an analytics engine memory and a processor. The raw data may be transferred or transmitted continuously or at intervals. For instance, the raw data may be transferred or transmitted to the analytics engine 1002 at regular intervals, e.g. at scheduled intervals and/or in response to certain events. For instance, the raw data may be transferred or transmitted to the analytics engine 1002 whenever the container changes location and/or changes orientation.

[0184] The raw data may be transferred or transmitted to the analytics engine 1002 wirelessly or by a cable. The analytics engine 1002 may be located remotely from the hydration monitor 1.

[0185] In general, the analytics engine 1002 is operable to convert the raw data into usable information for monitoring and/or managing hydration. The analytics engine 1002 may employ statistical and/or artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning techniques in carrying out its functions.

[0186] Referring to the example system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 7, the analytics engine 1002 is operable to carry out the following steps.

[0187] In a first step 1004, the raw data received from the hydration monitor(s) 1 is stored in the analytics engine memory. The raw data is stored as is for audit and compliance reasons.

[0188] In the analytics engine 1002, the processor is arranged to carry out a processing method including the following steps:

[0189] In a first step 1006 of the processing method, the processor pre-processes the raw data, including validating and cleaning the raw data, to produce clean data. The clean data is stored in the analytics engine memory.

[0190] In a subsequent step 1008 of the processing method, the processor analyses the clean data to identify potential events of interest. Events of interest may include, for example, occasions when there was a change in the amount of fluid in the container of a hydration monitor 1 assigned to a given person. A change in the amount of fluid in a given container may be indicative of the given person having had a drink.

[0191] The processor then assigns a confidence level to each potential event of interest. The confidence level may be checked and revised on a continuous basis, a quasi-continuous basis or periodically, as new data is supplied to the analytics engine 1002.

[0192] If the confidence level does not pass a first confidence threshold, then the potential event of interest is considered erroneous or should be consolidated. In this case, the potential event of interest is labelled a non-event, in a step 1014 of the processing method.

[0193] In another step 1010 of the processing method, an event of potential interest becomes a reportable event if the confidence level assigned to the event of potential interest passes the first confidence threshold.

[0194] In a subsequent step 1012 of the processing method, the confidence level assigned to the or each reportable event is assessed against a second confidence threshold. If the confidence level of the reportable event passes the second confidence threshold, then the reportable event is marked as a final reportable event. The analytics engine 1002 cannot update or revise a given reportable event once it has been marked as a final reportable event.

[0195] If the confidence level of the reportable event does not pass the second confidence threshold, then the reportable event is considered erroneous or should be consolidated. In this case, the reportable event is labelled a non-event, in the step 1014 of the processing method. It will therefore be appreciated that the step 1014 of labelling an event as a non-event is applied to potential events of interest with a confidence level that does not pass the first confidence threshold or to reportable events with a confidence level that does not pass the second confidence threshold.

[0196] Data relating to the or each final reportable event is stored in a database 1016. A presentation engine 1018 is operably connected to the database 1016 and is arranged to produce a visual presentation utilising the data relating to the or each final reportable event for the or each hydration monitor 1. The presentation engine 1018 may be arranged to augment the visual presentation with data from one or more other sources, including, but not limited to, a user identity profile 1020 associated with a given person for a given hydration monitor 1 and/or a hydration profile 1022 associated with a given person for a given hydration monitor 1. The hydration profile 1022 may be based on past measurements and analysis of a given person's levels of hydration and/or may be benchmarked or otherwise take into account statistical, population-level data, e.g. relating to desirable or typical hydration profiles for other comparable members of the wider population.

[0197] By augmenting the visual presentation with data from one or more other sources, the presentation engine 1018 may, in a subsequent step 1026, produce an enriched report, which may be bespoke for a given person.

[0198] Conveniently, the visual presentation, e.g. the or a bespoke report, produced by the presentation engine 1018 may be displayed, in a subsequent step 1024 on a monitor or other display device, e.g. via a web portal or application.

[0199] Accordingly, the system 1000 may facilitate hydration monitoring and/or management for a given person. Consequently, the likelihood of the given person falling ill due to not being properly hydrated may be reduced. Accordingly, the complications, time and expense of treating a person who has fallen ill due to not being properly hydrated may be minimised or even eliminated.

[0200] The system 1000 may comprise any number of hydration monitors. The hydration monitors may be assigned to different people and/or different locations within the area to be monitored. The area to be monitored may comprise one or more parts of one or more buildings.

[0201] In an example implementation, the system 1000 may be installed in a care home setting with a hydration monitor 1 assigned to each care home resident.

[0202] Systems according to the present disclosure may be installed in other settings where it is desirable to monitor and/or manage hydration of individuals. Such settings may include healthcare or wellness settings.

[0203] It will be appreciated that the disclosure may provide a fluid measurement and tracking system, intended for hydration tracking for personal and health care users.

[0204] Typically, the fluid utilised may be water, as water constitutes a good hydration liquid. In some implementations, one or more beverages other than solely water, may be employed as a hydration liquid. The hydration liquid employed at any given time may be selected based on a number of factors, including, for example, medical need and individual preference.

[0205] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features disclosed herein.