EP0837619A2 - Gerät und Vorrichtung zur Schallübertragung - Google Patents

Gerät und Vorrichtung zur Schallübertragung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0837619A2
EP0837619A2 EP97308315A EP97308315A EP0837619A2 EP 0837619 A2 EP0837619 A2 EP 0837619A2 EP 97308315 A EP97308315 A EP 97308315A EP 97308315 A EP97308315 A EP 97308315A EP 0837619 A2 EP0837619 A2 EP 0837619A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
child
speakers
speaker
sound
signals
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97308315A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0837619B1 (de
EP0837619A3 (de
Inventor
Brian c/o Childcare Products Ltd Higgins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Childcare Products Ltd
Original Assignee
Childcare Products Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Childcare Products Ltd filed Critical Childcare Products Ltd
Publication of EP0837619A2 publication Critical patent/EP0837619A2/de
Publication of EP0837619A3 publication Critical patent/EP0837619A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0837619B1 publication Critical patent/EP0837619B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/02—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
    • H04R5/023—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers in a chair, pillow

Definitions

  • the invention which is the subject of this patent application relates to an entertainment and/or communication device principally for children and which can be used in conjunction with children's apparatus such as a seat for a vehicle, for a child, a pram, cot or the like.
  • the device of the current invention allows both safety to be increased and entertainment to be provided to the child.
  • One particular type of apparatus namely child safety seats are used extensively to carry children from the ages 0-12 safely in cars.
  • the seats are anchored to existing vehicle seats by passing seat belts through location points or, alternatively, can be anchored to the chassis of the car, possibly via universal anchorage systems, and are themselves provided with safety belts thereby providing a seat which is of the correct size for the child and providing safety for them if a crash was to happen.
  • the aim of the current invention is to provide a communication and entertainment means for a child in the form of a device which can be provided integrally within apparatus for use with a child such as a seat, cot, pushchair, pram or other apparatus thereby allowing the device to be used and activated by the child and/or parent so as to make the child's time in the apparatus more interesting and enjoyable while ensuring that the safety of the child is maintained.
  • the communication and entertainment means of the invention can perform an educational role by providing information while the child is awake and even when asleep.
  • apparatus for use with a child, said apparatus including a device for reproducing sound to the child in the vicinity of the apparatus and characterised in that there is provided at least one speaker and there is provided as part of the device a signal emitting means to emit a signal to be received by the speaker and translated into sound which is played to the child.
  • the signal emitting means is remote from the speakers.
  • the signal emitting means can also be connected to audio reproduction means which include a recording function.
  • the apparatus is a safety seat for use by babies or children and fitted to existing seats of a vehicle or the vehicle chassis.
  • the signal emitting means can be remote from the speakers and can be fitted as part of the seat or alternatively may be fitted to another part of the vehicle, in connection with the stereo/tape/CD system so as to relay the signals for the sounds from the system to the speakers.
  • the vehicles can be any of cars, buses, minibuses, trains and the like.
  • the seat is a high seat for use by children when feeding or is a pram or buggy in which the child is transported. It is also possible that the device can be incorporated into a cot for use when the child is lying down.
  • the speakers can be incorporated into the frame of the said articles or may be incorporated into padded areas such as seat cushioning, cot bumpers, mattresses and the like.
  • the apparatus includes the device in the form of an audio reproduction unit which can be of any suitable form such as a compact disc or music cassette player, a power source, at least one speaker and signal emitting and receiving means.
  • the speaker or speakers are mounted within the apparatus at positions thereon such that when the child is sitting or lying their head is adjacent to the speakers thereby allowing them to listen comfortably to the sound therefrom.
  • the speaker or speakers are demountable from the seat to be fitted into the child's ear or ears.
  • the speakers can be connected by speaker leads to the seat, however it is envisaged that the speakers will again be positioned close to the location area of the child's head so as to minimise the length of the speaker leads required and thereby prevent any risk of the child becoming entangled with the leads.
  • the signal emitting and receiving means can be a transponder/ receiver system which allows the sound signals to be transmitted from the audio reproduction means and received remotely by receivers in the speakers thereby allowing a no-wiring device to be used.
  • the signals will be transmitted using infra red signals.
  • the speakers are designed and/or mounted so that the sound emitting therefrom is localised to the environment of the apparatus so as to minimise the noise which can be heard by other persons such as passengers of a car.
  • the volume of the speakers is adjustable but the controls are preferably fitted with volume limiting means so as to prevent the volume from being too high and thereby avoiding damage to the more sensitive ears of the child.
  • the speakers be embedded in a cavity in the material of manufacture of the apparatus, such as, if the apparatus is a seat, in the polystyrene foam from which they can be formed, so as to minimise vibration and increase the quality of the sound.
  • the power supply and audio reproduction unit are located within and attached to the apparatus and are hidden from view. Access can be gained to the audio reproduction unit to allow the cassette or disc to be changed as appropriate.
  • the apparatus may be provided with a speaker or speakers and they are configured to receive signals from a remote audio reproduction means to which the signal emitting means is connected such as a stereo, radio, television or other sound generating apparatus.
  • a number of the apparatus or apparatus types can each be configured to receive signals from a common source. This is of particular use where there may be a number of seats, such as in a coach or train carriage and speakers are embedded in each of the seats and also in domestic premises where, for example, a pram, cot and high chair can all be provided with speakers and signal receiving means, and are configured to receive the same or different signals from a common signal emitting means and common audio reproduction means.
  • the apparatus is provided with a games console and in one embodiment the games console is mounted on the apparatus as an integral part thereof, and preferably as part of a lap portion of a seat, thereby improving the safety of the apparatus for the child when sitting in the same.
  • the games console can be plugged into the power supply in the seat when the lap portion is placed in position.
  • the console can be detached from the seat to allow the child to hold the console when playing with the same thereby allowing improved enjoyment and indeed it is conceivable that the console can be provided with, or connected to interact with, a television screen mounted in the seat and which can be viewed by the child.
  • the games console is adapted to receive game cartridges which can be inserted therein to provide the required game for the child.
  • an entertainment device comprising a signal emitting device and speakers including a signal receiver, said emitting device connected to an audio reproduction means to transmit signals representing the audio sound and to be received for transmission via the speakers.
  • the audio reproduction means is the stereo of a vehicle and the speakers are incorporated into apparatus and in particular, into a children's safety seat or alternatively the speakers can be worn by a passenger of the vehicle.
  • the fader controls of the stereo can be used to selectively control the listening of the audio sound by the passengers of the vehicle.
  • the control of the reproduction means can be achieved using a remote control device.
  • audio reproduction means and unit includes within its scope, equipment which can also generate visual images, such as televisions, in addition to the sound signals.
  • this invention is particularly attractive for use with children and may be used for children in a pram, high chair or cot in a house and where the speakers are mounted in the apparatus to receive signals from, for example, the hi-fi stereo unit in the house.
  • the device can be provided to act as a listening device so that, in addition to generating signals to be heard via the speakers by the child, the device can also include a microphone or other listening device and emitter, so that signals can be sent back to allow the child to be listened to through speakers, such as the speakers of the audio reproduction means by the carers for the child and in this embodiment there will be provided a signal receiver at the audio reproduction means also.
  • the device is provided so that the generation of the sound signals to be received by the device at the apparatus where the child is, is only commenced when a noise is detected by the child. It is envisaged that this will be of particular use in sending sound to children to encourage sleep in cots and the like.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the components of child's apparatus in the form of a child safety seat according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the seat 2 comprises a back support 4, base 6 and lap portion 8 made of expanded polystyrene foam.
  • the back support 4 includes mounted therein speakers 10 which are mounted in cavities formed in the foam and positioned adjacent the position of the head of a child when sitting in the seat so as to maximise the quality of sound heard by the child.
  • the speakers 10 are provided with signal receiving means for receiving signals from a signal emitting means connected to audio reproduction means 12 shown in broken lines which, in this embodiment, is mounted within the body of the seat and provided with an opening 14 which allows the cassettes, discs or other audio means to be inserted.
  • the audio reproduction means 12 is in turn connected to a power supply 16 which again is mounted within the seat but which can be accessed to allow the change of batteries as required.
  • the equipment may in an alternative embodiment be mounted under the covers of the seat and/or in a pocket of said covers.
  • the power source can be provided with an adaptor to allow the same to be powered from the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle, or, if the seat is to be in the vehicle for a long period of time the seat can be connected to the vehicle electricity circuit via a plug in socket.
  • Control means for the playing of the audio reproduction means can be provided at any suitable point on the seat for convenient use, or via a remote control device, but in one embodiment can be provided as part of a games console 18 which is provided as part of the lap portion 8 of the seat.
  • a games console can be connected to the power supply 16 and, if required, to the audio reproduction means and speakers 10 to allow control of the same and can include any of control means 20 for the game to be played and a monitor screen 22 by which arcade style games can be viewed.
  • the screen can be provided as a separate part of the seat. It is envisaged that the console can be removed from the seat to allow the same to be used more easily by the child when playing the game.
  • the invention of this application allows a child sitting in a seat to be entertained and/or educated when in the same thereby minimising their restlessness and minimising the distraction to the driver.
  • the seat allows the child to be entertained and/or educated with their own favourite music or story and can also be used to send the child to sleep.
  • the safety of the child is maintained as there is no need for headphones or other uncomfortable or sharp edged objects to be used and the volume of the audio reproduction means can be limited to be within acceptable volumes for children.
  • the ability to allow the generation and reception of signals which carry the sounds means that standard audio reproduction means such as stereos, hi-fi, television and the like can be used to generate the sound.
  • the signals can be infra red if required and if visual contact between the emitter and receiver can be maintained or, alternatively, other signal carrying media can be used such as radio waves or microwaves or power line carriers or the like.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a system according to a further embodiment of the invention wherein the child's apparatus is a cot 102 and said cot is provided with speakers 110 which, in this case are housed in the mattress 119 and are connected to a signal receiver 111 adapted to receive signals from an emitter 113 connected to a stereo system 115 in the house in which the cot is located.
  • the signal emitter is arranged to transmit signals which carry sound produced by the stereo system and allows the sound to be played through the speakers 110 to a child (not shown) in the cot 102.
  • a microphone in the cot connected to a signal emitter to send signals to the stereo system provided with a signal receiver and which includes a signal receiver to allow sounds made by the child in the cot to be heard and relayed to person in the vicinity of the speakers of the stereo system.
EP97308315A 1996-10-18 1997-10-20 System zur Schallübertragung Expired - Lifetime EP0837619B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9621781 1996-10-18
GBGB9621781.5A GB9621781D0 (en) 1996-10-18 1996-10-18 Entertainment device

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0837619A2 true EP0837619A2 (de) 1998-04-22
EP0837619A3 EP0837619A3 (de) 1999-04-21
EP0837619B1 EP0837619B1 (de) 2008-04-23

Family

ID=10801663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97308315A Expired - Lifetime EP0837619B1 (de) 1996-10-18 1997-10-20 System zur Schallübertragung

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0837619B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE393561T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69738647D1 (de)
GB (1) GB9621781D0 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2331887A (en) * 1997-11-29 1999-06-02 Gitte Fjordside Audio apparatus for providing comfort for infants.
GB2368211A (en) * 2000-10-17 2002-04-24 Maurice Stanley Skipper One-way communication system particularly for use in a vehicle
GB2445662A (en) * 2007-01-15 2008-07-16 Sonny Mileham Combined childs chair and video player system
GB2454679A (en) * 2007-11-13 2009-05-20 Carolyn Patricia Thompson Electric buggy for child occupant

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3719105A1 (de) * 1987-06-06 1988-12-22 Keiper Recaro Gmbh Co Fluggastsitz
DE3931502A1 (de) * 1988-09-21 1990-03-22 Takata Corp Kindersicherheitssitz fuer fahrzeuge
US5185803A (en) * 1991-12-23 1993-02-09 Ford Motor Company Communication system for passenger vehicle
US5243659A (en) * 1992-02-19 1993-09-07 John J. Lazzeroni Motorcycle stereo audio system with vox intercom
US5254007A (en) * 1993-01-29 1993-10-19 Eagan Chris S Baby entertainment and learning apparatus for highchairs
FR2729280A1 (fr) * 1995-01-13 1996-07-19 Debut De Roseville Marie Madel Concept mobilier a fonctions multiples
US5624156A (en) * 1996-03-25 1997-04-29 Leal; Horacio Child safety seat with entertainment system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3719105A1 (de) * 1987-06-06 1988-12-22 Keiper Recaro Gmbh Co Fluggastsitz
DE3931502A1 (de) * 1988-09-21 1990-03-22 Takata Corp Kindersicherheitssitz fuer fahrzeuge
US5185803A (en) * 1991-12-23 1993-02-09 Ford Motor Company Communication system for passenger vehicle
US5243659A (en) * 1992-02-19 1993-09-07 John J. Lazzeroni Motorcycle stereo audio system with vox intercom
US5254007A (en) * 1993-01-29 1993-10-19 Eagan Chris S Baby entertainment and learning apparatus for highchairs
FR2729280A1 (fr) * 1995-01-13 1996-07-19 Debut De Roseville Marie Madel Concept mobilier a fonctions multiples
US5624156A (en) * 1996-03-25 1997-04-29 Leal; Horacio Child safety seat with entertainment system

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2331887A (en) * 1997-11-29 1999-06-02 Gitte Fjordside Audio apparatus for providing comfort for infants.
GB2331887B (en) * 1997-11-29 2002-07-17 Gitte Fjordside Apparatus for providing comfort for infants
GB2368211A (en) * 2000-10-17 2002-04-24 Maurice Stanley Skipper One-way communication system particularly for use in a vehicle
GB2445662A (en) * 2007-01-15 2008-07-16 Sonny Mileham Combined childs chair and video player system
WO2008087377A1 (en) * 2007-01-15 2008-07-24 Mileham Sonny Child's chair video player
GB2445662B (en) * 2007-01-15 2010-10-06 Sonny Mileham Child's chair video player
GB2454679A (en) * 2007-11-13 2009-05-20 Carolyn Patricia Thompson Electric buggy for child occupant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0837619B1 (de) 2008-04-23
DE69738647D1 (de) 2008-06-05
EP0837619A3 (de) 1999-04-21
ATE393561T1 (de) 2008-05-15
GB9621781D0 (en) 1996-12-11

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