WO2008026812A1

WO2008026812A1 - Monitoring device for baby using motion detecting sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2008026812A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001465
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung-Wan Kim
Original assignee: Sung-Wan Kim
Priority date: 2006-08-28
Filing date: 2007-03-26
Publication date: 2008-03-06
Also published as: KR100801540B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a monitoring device for a baby capable of observing a baby efficiently and con¬ veniently by monitoring the baby based on the baby's posture. The monitoring device includes: a posture sensing module including a casing, a motion detection unit, a sound detection unit, an input unit, a voice signal conversion unit, a control unit, the sound detection unit, the input unit and the voice signal conversion unit, and an RF unit for tansmitting control results of the control unit to the outside; and a receiver including a casing, a weak output wireless receiving unit, a control unit, a display unit, a voice output unit, and a key input unit.

Description

MONITORING DEVICE FOR BABY USING MOTION

DETECTING SENSOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a monitoring device for a baby, which is attached to the baby's body and enables a guardian to observe the condition of the baby according to his/her posture. Background Art

[2] In general, a baby needs to be observed by parents or other guardians for a considerable period of time after birth.

[3] A baby, especially within several months from birth, cannot voluntarily control its body, and spends most of the day lying in bed and sleeping. Therefore, there are often accidents such as suffocation or falling from a bed, and get hurt seriously while they are trying to turn over their bodies or lie on their sides, if guardians including their parents fail to supervise them. Therefore, parents or guardians require "a monitoring device for a baby" capable of supervising the condition of a baby even while they are separated from the baby within a short distance or they are sleeping at night.

[4] There are three kinds of existing commercially available monitoring devices for babies, which perform monitoring by using a method of transmitting an image, a method of transmitting voice and sound, a method of detecting motion by mounting a pressure/vibration sensor at the bottom of a sleeping place of a baby, or a method of using a combination of the aforesaid three methods.

[5] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional monitoring device for a baby using a video camera.

[6] Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a monitoring method using an image, a video camera is installed in the vicinity of the baby and shoots and transmits an image of the baby to a guardian's receiver through an image transmitter, so that the guardian can observe the condition of a baby in a realistic way by the video camera.

[7] That is, the device shown in FIG. 1 is a middle/high priced monitoring device, which has a video camera installed near a baby and shows the current state of the baby such as baby's playing figures or sleeping figures in real time as image signals relatively in detail.

[8] Therefore, this device is convenient for direct monitoring of a baby. However, the method of transmitting an image is disadvantageous in that, since the image camera requires minimum lighting in order to shoot a baby, it is necessary to shed light having a predetermined degree of illuminance on the baby even while the baby is sleeping, which affects adversely the growth and development of the baby who should rest comfortably. Also, there is another disadvantage in that, since monitoring can be achieved only when the guardian has an eye on the image receiver, a guardian who wants to monitor the baby's condition cannot turn his/her eye from the image receiver and must always watch the image receiver.

[9] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a conventional monitoring device for a baby using a microphone.

[10] Referring to FIG. 2, which shows a method of transmitting a voice and a sound, a device equipped with a mike for sound input is installed in the vicinity of the baby, and collects voice including the baby's crying sound and a sound around the baby input thereto through the mike built in a transmitter. Then, the transmitter transmits the voice and sound to a sound receiver possessed by the guardian, so that the guardian can monitor the baby's condition.

[11] That is, the device shown in FIG. 2 is a monitoring device, which has a mike installed near the baby and reports the current condition of a baby in real time by using a sound signal, such as voice including a baby's crying sound and sound around the baby.

[12] Therefore, this device has a relatively simple structure, is convenient for direct monitoring of the baby, and is effective in the case where the baby cries. However, in a case where the baby has its face buried in a blanket and thus is suffocated in the process of turning over its body or lying on its side, no sound signal is generated at all and thus errors occur in monitoring in that one cannot make a correct decision as to whether the baby is in safe condition or not.

[13] There is an inconvenience in that a guardian should continuously listen to a sound receiver. Also, there is a disadvantage in that only a part of the information required to check a correct current condition of a baby is provided.

[14] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a conventional monitoring device for a baby using a vibration-pressure sensor.

[15] Referring to FIG. 3, which shows a method using a pressure-vibration sensor, a device like a pad having a sensor capable of detecting pressure-vibration built therein is installed underneath a baby's back, and information about the baby's motion is transmitted to a guardian's receiver whenever a baby moves.

[16] That is, the device shown in FIG. 3 recognizes, from change of vibration or pressure, either a case where a baby tosses about or moves intensively or a case where a baby does not make any movement for a predetermined period of time, and then transmits it to a guardian's receiver as an alarm signal.

[17] However, in such a conventional method of monitoring the baby's motion with a device having a sensor capable of detecting pressure-vibration, only the baby's motion is simply detected and transmitted. Therefore, according to the method, an alarm signal may be unnecessarily generated and transmitted even in a stable circumstance where the baby makes motions of moving its hands and feet normally and turning its body to the left and right.

[18] Therefore, there is a problem in that the conventional method or device often fails to provide correct monitoring information about an emergency situation, and interrupts parents or a guardian from having a good sleep due to an alarm signal resulting from unnecessary monitoring information, especially at night.

[19] Also, even though there is a product that performs the aforesaid three functions in combination, that product still causes an inconvenience in that a guardian should keep watching a receiver, and has a disadvantage in that it cannot monitor a correct current condition of the baby. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[20] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for monitoring a baby, which enables a guardian to exactly monitor a current condition of the baby without keeping watching a monitoring receiver.

Advantageous Effects

[21] The present invention has advantages in that it is capable of accurately monitoring even if a guardian does not continuously watch the image or sound of a receiver because it can provide specific information about the current condition including the baby's motion, analyzes and provides the specific forms of motion when there are baby's motions, and automatically detects and transmits crying sound to the guardian's receiver.

[22] In addition, the present invention provides specific information about the baby's condition, and at the same time, the present invention provides convenience of letting both of the guardian and the baby rest well and has the effects of providing a high degree of safety for the baby.

[23] Also, the monitoring device for a baby of the present invention can be applied to the monitoring of handicapped or elderly people who cannot move freely. Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[25] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional monitoring device for a baby using a video camera; [26] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a conventional monitoring device for a baby using a microphone;

[27] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a conventional monitoring device for a baby using a vibration-pressure sensor;

[28] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a monitoring device for a baby according to the present invention;

[29] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a posture sensing module of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal constitution of a transmitter that receives a monitoring signal from a posture sensing module and re-transmitting the monitoring signal;

[31] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the exterior of a receiver of the present invention;

[32] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a receiver; and

[33] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating baby's postures and baby's condition displayed on a monitor of a receiver accordingly. Mode for the Invention

[34] The aforesaid objective of the present invention is accomplished by making the monitoring device for a baby attached to a baby's body, monitor baby's posture in real time and transmit correct analysis results according to each posture as a signal.

[35] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring device for a baby, which includes: a posture sensing module including a casing, a motion detection unit fixed to the casing, so as to detect motion of the casing and generate a motion detecting signal, a sound detection unit for detecting a sound around the casing and generating a sound detecting signal, an input unit for input of voice, a voice signal conversion unit for converting the signal input to the input unit to digital information, a control unit for controlling the motion detection unit, the sound detection unit, the input unit and the voice signal conversion unit, and an RF unit for transmitting the control results of the control unit to the outside; and a receiver including a casing, a weak output wireless receiving unit installed inside of the casing, a control unit for processing and controlling the signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit, a display unit for displaying the results controlled and processed in the control unit, a voice output unit for displaying a result of processing by the control unit as a sound, and a key input unit for input of various instructions or key values.

[36] The casing of the present invention forms an entire outline of the monitoring device for a baby, and includes various constitutional elements inside thereof. The casing is attached to be near the baby's body as a transmitting device monitoring the motion of a baby. For the convenient attachment and correctness in detecting motion, it is preferable that the casing is attached to a panty shape diaper on the side of a baby's belly or back.

[37] And, the motion detection unit is a main element detecting the overall motion including a baby's posture in a monitoring device for a baby. It is preferable to use a two axial or tri-axial accelerometer as the motion detection unit. The motion detection unit has a characteristic that X value, Y value and Z value change according to the position of the sensor, and size of an output value increases in a case where an external shock is given. In a case where the tri-axial accelerometer is used along with a direction sensor or an angular speed sensor, more correct situation analysis becomes possible in monitoring a baby.

[38] Also, the sound detection unit is a constitutional element transmitting the detection results to a control unit to be described below, in a case where a volume more than a fixed size is detected or a sound is detected continuously for a predetermined period of time.

[39] That is, in a case where a baby falls from a bed and a "bang" sound is generated, or a baby's crying sound is detected continuously for a predetermined period of time, even if it is very small, it perceives it as an emergency situation, and transmits a detection signal to the control unit. In such an urgent situation, it has a sound around the baby be input thereto by activating a mike of an input unit to be described below and makes the sound situation around the baby be monitored by a guardian's receiver.

[40] Also, the input unit includes a mike, and is a constitutional element that is controlled to be activated by the control unit when the sound detection unit detects an emergency. The sound signal input through the mike of the input unit is transmitted to the receiver through the RF unit.

[41] Further, the voice signal conversion unit is a constitutional element that converts the input signal to digital information, to convert the voice signal input through the input unit into proper format and transmit it to the receiver.

[42] Moreover, the control unit is an element that controls the motion detection unit, the sound detection unit, the input unit and the voice signal conversion unit, and especially analyzes the baby's lying condition by analyzing the values of the motion sensor.

[43] The control results of the control unit is transmitted to the receiver, which is an external device, via the RF unit, graphically display various conditions according to the baby's posture on a display of the receiver, and especially in an emergency, expresses a sound signal like the baby's crying sound simultaneously.

[44] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the monitoring device for a baby of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[45] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a monitoring device for a baby according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a posture sensing module of the present invention.

[46] Referring to these drawings, the device for monitoring a baby according to the present invention includes a transmitter 200, which is a repeater relaying the monitoring signal received from the posture sensing module 100, and a receiver 300, which displays the monitoring results by using the signal transmitted from the transmitter 200. Especially, the posture sensing module 100 can be attached to the baby (B)'s body. Preferably, the posture sensing module 100 is attached to the upper end of a diaper D.

[47] The transmitter 200 is a device that is installed near a room where a baby is and retransmits a weak output signal received by the posture sensing module 100. The weak output signal is transmitted from the posture sensing module 100 because the posture sensing module 100 is made to transmit only a weak output signal to prevent harm to a baby from electromagnetic waves in advance.

[48] And, the receiver 300 is a device that informs of accurate information including a baby's current posture and detection results of crying sound with a sound, by processing the signal transmitted from the posture sensing module 100.

[49] Also, the posture sensing module 100 of the present invention is a device that is attached to a baby's body and detects whether the baby lies down normally, lies on its side to the left or right direction, lies on its face, rises to its feet while grasping the corner of a bed, falls down from a bed, or keeps crying and wirelessly transmits a weak output signal thereof to a guardian's receiver.

[50] And, the posture sensing module 100 includes: a casing 110; a motion detection unit 120 fixed to the casing 110, so as to detect motion of the casing 110 and generate a motion detecting signal; a sound detection unit 130 detecting a sound around the casing 110 and generating a sound detecting signal; an input unit 140 for input of voice; a voice signal conversion unit 150 for converting the signal input to the input unit 140 to digital information; a control unit 160 controlling the motion detection unit 120, the sound detection unit 130, the input unit 140 and the voice signal conversion unit 150; and a Radio Frequency (RF) unit 170 for transmitting the control results of the control unit 160 to the outside.

[51] In the operation of a sensor of the motion detection unit 120, when the output value of an accelerometer in a case where a baby lies on its back is set up as a reference value, if the baby turns its body to the right or left, the x coordinate changes, and if the baby rises to its feet, the y coordinate changes.

[52] And, in a case where the baby turns over its body, the z coordinate changes and thus the information about the motion condition of the baby lying down on a bed is analyzed with the output value of the accelerometer. [53] Also, in a case where the baby is given great shock like falling from a bed, the output value of the accelerometer gets great and the information about the baby's shock is transmitted based on an analysis of the an output value.

[54] The explanations on the X, Y and Z coordinate directions of the accelerometer are based on a two axial or tri-axial accelerometer, and the directions of X, Y and Z axes can be changed when a product is actually implemented.

[55] And, it is possible to achieve more accurate motion analysis by using an accelerometer of more dimensions, a gyroscope module, a magnetic sensor, or other vibration/pressure devices together with the device according to the present invention.

[56] Also, it is possible to selectively constitute the sound detection unit 130 detecting a peripheral sound and generating a sound detecting signal, the input unit 140 for inputting a voice, and the voice signal conversion unit 150 for converting the signal input to the input unit 140 to digital information in the posture sensing module 100.

[57] That is, the sound detection unit 130, the input unit 140, and the voice signal conversion unit 150 can be omitted from the posture sensing module 100 according to the present invention, and instead can be added to a transmitter 200, which will be described later, so that theses units can detect and transmit peripheral sound including baby's crying sound in a place where a transmitter 200 is placed.

[58] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal constitution of a transmitter that receives a monitoring signal from a posture sensing module and re-transmits the monitoring signal.

[59] Referring to FIG. 6, the posture sensing module 100 of the present invention is a device attached to a baby's body for use. Because a microprocessor of the control unit should use a low speed system clock and should protect a baby safely from the harm of the electromagnetic waves by using weak power electric waves, the electric wave generated and transmitted from the posture sensing module 100 has a weak output power.

[60] Therefore, the weak power signal is more or less disadvantageous for transmission of the signal to a guardian like a parent, who is placed relatively far away. Accordingly, such a weak power signal requires a transmitter 200 as a repeater, which is placed near the baby so as to receive and retransmit the weak power signal, so that a guardian can receive the weak signal in a more distant place.

[61] The transmitter 200 functions as a device for transmitting data resulting from the monitoring to an external device connected thereto, such as a wire telephone, a computer or a mobile phone, as well as a repeater for receiving the weak output signal from the posture sensing module 100 and transmitting the weak output signal to the receiver.

[62] Therefore, the transmitter 200 includes: a casing 210; a weak output wireless receiving unit 220 installed inside of the casing 210; a control unit 240 for processing a signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit 220 and controlling a weak output transmitting unit 230 to transmit the processed signal to the outside; and an external interface unit 250 connecting the signal controlled and processed in the control unit 240 to an external device.

[63] Preferably, the external interface unit 250 includes a CDMA communication module and wire and wireless communication modules transmitting the monitoring results to wire and wireless telephones, in addition to the construction for transmitting the signal according to the monitoring results to a computer.

[64] Therefore, it is possible to transmit the information to a specific telephone or a computer having Internet connected thereto by using the external interface unit 250 connected to the transmitter 200.

[65] Therefore, it is possible to monitor the baby's condition correctly in real time in a place beyond the receivable distance of the receiver 300 by using this.

[66] Also, it is possible to selectively constitute the sound detection unit 130 detecting a peripheral sound and generating a sound detecting signal, the input unit 140 for inputting a voice, and the voice signal conversion unit 150 for converting the signal input to the input unit 140 to digital information in the posture sensing module 100.

[67] That is, the sound detection unit 130, the input unit 140, and the voice signal conversion unit 150 can be omitted from the posture sensing module 100 according to the present invention, and instead can be added to a transmitter 200, which will be described later, so that theses units can detect and transmit peripheral sound including baby's crying sound in a place where a transmitter 200 is placed.

[68] FIG. 7 is a front view of a receiver according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the receiver, and FIG. 9 is a view illustrating various postures and corresponding conditions of a baby displayed on a monitor of a receiver.

[69] Referring to these drawings, the receiver 300 displays on a screen the monitoring results of a baby obtained from the data received from the transmitter 200 or outputs sound thereof through a speaker.

[70] The receiver 300 includes: a casing 310; a weak output wireless receiving unit 320 installed inside of the casing 310; a control unit 330 for processing and controlling the signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit 320; a display unit 340 for displaying the results controlled and processed in the control unit 330; a voice output unit 350 for displaying a result of processing by the control unit 330 as a sound; and a key input unit 360 for input of various instructions or key values.

[71] The display unit 340 displays detailed information about the baby monitored by the posture sensing module 100, and the voice output unit 350 outputs various sounds including baby's crying sound and various warning sounds through a speaker. [72] That is, the receiver possessed by a guardian in the form of a portable terminal receives various information, and expresses the monitoring results in various ways including LED display, letters, and graphics using pictures or photographs of the baby's body.

[73] Also, in a case where the baby's crying sound or the noise around the baby detected by the sound detection unit 130 installed in the posture sensing module 100 is great, an alarm signal thereof is transmitted to the receiver 300, so that the guardian can recognize the crying sound and noise information along with specific motion information of the baby through the receiver.

[74] Moreover, in a case where the distance between the receiver 300 and the posture sensing module 100 is short, it is possible to receive the monitoring results directly from the posture sensing module 100 even without the transmitter 200. Therefore, it is possible to selectively use the transmitter 200 according to the circumstances in which it is used.

Claims

[1] A monitoring device for a baby characterized by comprising: a posture sensing module 100 comprising a casing 110, a motion detection unit 120 fixed to the casing 110, so as to detect motion of the casing 110 and generate a motion detecting signal, a sound detection unit 130 for detecting a sound around the casing 110 and generating a sound detecting signal, an input unit 140 for input of voice, a voice signal conversion unit 150 for converting the signal input to the input unit 140 to digital information, a control unit 160 for controlling the motion detection unit 120, the sound detection unit 130, the input unit 140 and the voice signal conversion unit 150, and a Radio Frequency (RF) unit 170 for transmitting the control results of the control unit 160 to the outside; and a receiver 300 comprising a casing 310, a weak output wireless receiving unit 320 installed inside of the casing 310, a control unit 330 for processing and controlling the signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit 320, a display unit 340 for displaying the results controlled and processed in the control unit 330, a voice output unit 350 for displaying a result of processing by the control unit 330 as a sound, and a key input unit 360 for input of various instructions or key values.

[2] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transmitter

200, which comprises: a casing 210; a weak output wireless receiving unit 220 installed inside of the casing 210; a control unit 240 for processing a signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit 220 and controlling a weak output transmitting unit 230 to transmit the processed signal to the outside; and an external interface unit 250 connecting the signal controlled and processed in the control unit 240 to an external device.

[3] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion detection unit

120 comprises one of a two axial accelerometer and a tri-axial accelerometer.

[4] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motion detection unit

120 further comprises one of a direction sensor and an angular speed sensor.

[5] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input unit 140 comprises a microphone.

[6] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit 340 comprises one of a liquid crystal display device, a lamp, and a Light Emitting Diode (LED), in order to graphically display the monitoring results processed in the control unit 330.

[7] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound output portion

350 comprises a speaker.

[8] A monitoring device for a baby, comprising: a posture sensing module 100 comprising a casing 110, a motion detection unit 120 fixed to the casing 110, so as to detect motion of the casing 110 and generate a motion detecting signal, a control unit 160 for controlling the motion detection unit 120, the sound detection unit 130, the input unit 140 and the voice signal conversion unit 150, and a Radio Frequency (RF) unit 170 for transmitting the control results of the control unit 160 to the outside; and a receiver 300 comprising a casing 310, a weak output wireless receiving unit 320 installed inside of the casing 310, a control unit 330 for processing and controlling the signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit 320, a display unit 340 for displaying the results controlled and processed in the control unit 330, a voice output unit 350 for displaying a result of processing by the control unit 330 as a sound, and a key input unit 360 for input of various instructions or key values.

[9] The monitoring device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a transmitter

200, which comprises: a casing 210; a weak output wireless receiving unit 220 installed inside of the casing 210; a control unit 240 for processing a signal received by the weak output wireless receiving unit 220 and controlling a weak output transmitting unit 230 to transmit the processed signal to the outside; and an external interface unit 250 connecting the signal controlled and processed in the control unit 240 to an external device; a sound detection unit 130 for detecting a sound around the casing 110 and generating a sound detecting signal; an input unit 140 for input of voice; and a voice signal conversion unit 150 for converting the signal input to the input unit 140 to digital information.