GB2443451A

GB2443451A - Heartbeat recording and playback system

Info

Publication number: GB2443451A
Application number: GB0622075A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Halperin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-06
Filing date: 2006-11-06
Publication date: 2008-05-07
Also published as: GB0622075D0

Abstract

A recording apparatus, comprising: a recording arrangement 4, including a probe 5 to be placed on an individual's chest, for recording the sound of the individual's heartbeat; and a storage arrangement for writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium, wherein the apparatus is operable to dispense a storage device, incorporating the storage medium, the storage device being connectable to a playback device (10) so that the sound of the individual's heartbeat can be reproduced repeatedly by the playback device. The heartbeat playback provides comfort to babies and young children. The recording arrangement may be in a booth 1 and the playback device may be incorporated in a toy (9). The apparatus may dispense a recording medium or may dispense a complete toy incorporating the data storage medium.

Description

A RECORDING APPARATUS

Description of Invention

THIS INVENTION relates to a recording apparatus, and in particular concerns a recording apparatus which can be used in the creation of a toy or other sound-producing object.

It is known to provide, for children, toys or other objects which are able to reproduce sounds. Such objects have entertainment value, and can also have the benefit (primarily for babies and younger children) of providing comfort.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved recording apparatus for creating a toy or other objects of this type.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a recording apparatus, comprising: a recording arrangement, including a probe to be placed on an individual's chest, for recording the sound of the individual's heartbeat; and a storage arrangement for writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium, wherein the apparatus is operable to* dispense a storage device, incorporating the storage medium, the storage device being connectable to a playback device so that the sound of the individual's heartbeat can be reproduced repeatedly by the playback device.

Advantageously, the recording apparatus comprises or is provided in a booth or enclosure which the individual can enter to use the recording arrangement.

Preferably, the storage device is dispensed at a dispensing point on the booth or enclosure.

Conveniently, the dispensing point is on an external surface of the booth or enclosure.

Advantageously, a toy or object incorporating the storage device is dispensed, the toy or object also incorporating a playback device operable to reproduce the sound of the individual's heartbeat.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of providing a sound-producing object, comprising the steps of: providing a recording apparatus comprising a recording arrangement, including a probe to be placed on an individual's chest, for recording the sound of the individual's heartbeat and a storage arrangement for writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium; using the recording arrangement, recording the heartbeat of an individual and writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium; and inserting the storage medium into an object comprising a playback device so that the sound of the individual's heartbeat can be reproduced repeatedly thereby.

Preferably, the recording arrangement is provided inside a booth or enclosure which the individual can enter to use the recording arrangement.

Conveniently, the method further comprises the step of dispensing the storage medium at a dispensing point on the booth or enclosure.

Advantageously, the dispensing point is on an external surface of the booth or enclosure.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a recording apparatus embodying the present invention; and FIGURE 2 shows a toy produced by a method embodying the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a booth 1 embodying the present invention is shown. The booth I comprises a floor 2 and four upright waIls 3, although in Figure 1 two of the walls 3 are not shown to allow the interior of the booth 1 to be seen. The booth 1 is of a suitable size that an adult may be accommodated in the booth 1, and a door (not shown) allows access to the interior of the booth 1.

A recording arrangement 4 is provided in the booth 1. The recording arrangement 4 includes a probe 5 which may be placed on an individual's chest, for recording the sound of the individual's heartbeat. Advantageously, the probe comprises a stethoscope, and even more preferably may be a digital stethoscope, but any suitable means may be employed for this. The probe 5 is provided on a flexible cord or cable 6, for ease of use. A supply of cleaning wipes may be provided to clean the probe before and/or after use by an individual.

The recording arrangement 4 further comprises a control panel 7, which includes controls to allow a user to operate the recording arrangement 4, and may also include a coin slot, card swipe or other means for accepting payment. For convenience, a chair 8 is preferably provided within the booth 1.

In use, a user enters the booth I and, using the probe 5 and the controls provided on the control panel 7, uses the recording arrangement 4 to record his or her heartbeat. As it may not be clear to a user how to operate the probe 5, or indeed where to place the probe to record the user's heartbeat effectively, it is envisaged that the user will be prompted to take appropriate steps by a screen provided on the control panel 7 and/or by voice commands.

In preferred embodiments the recording arrangement 4 is able to make a determination as to the quality of the recording, for instance by measuring the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of the recording. If the quality falls below a predetermined threshold, the user may be prompted to make a further recording, until a recording of a suitably high quality has been obtained. The number of attempts that a user may have can be limited to a reasonable number, for instance five.

Once recording of the individual's heartbeat has been completed, the recording arrangement 4 writes data representing the recording onto a removable data storage medium (not shown). In preferred embodiments of the invention, the storage medium comprises a solid state medium, which may take a form of a memory chip having read/write contacts, a SIM-card type chip or a memory stick, or a CD. Preferably the data representing the individual's heartbeat is written to the removable data storage medium in digital form.

In further embodiments of the invention, the removable data storage medium is dispensed at a dispensing point which is provided on an external surface of the booth 1. Alternatively, however, the dispensing point may be provided inside the booth I or indeed at a location away from the booth.

Once the individual has acquired the data storage medium, the individual is able to acquire any one of a range of products which is adapted to receive the data storage medium, and to reproduce sounds corresponding to the data stored thereon. Examples of products, primarily intended for babies and younger children, include toys and teddy bears, night-time clothing, mattresses, blankets, car seat covers, hot water bottles, ear mufflers and pillows.

In alternative embodiments, a complete toy or other object incorporating the data storage medium may be dispensed, instead of only the data storage medium. In such embodiments it is envisaged that the user will be able to select, for instance via an on-screen menu, the type of toy or object that is to be dispensed. A skilled person will appreciate how the storage medium may be prepared and inserted into a product automatically, but alternatively storage media may be provided within toys or other products, and data representing the users heartbeat may be written thereto in situ.

Turning to Figure 2, a child's toy 9 is shown, the toy 9 generally taking the form of a toy bear. Concealed within the toy 9 is a playback device 10 comprising a loudspeaker 11, a processing unit 12, a data reading arrangement 13 and a battery compartment 14. A removable data storage medium 14 dispensed by the booth I may be inserted into the data reading arrangement 13, and data read therefrom may be passed to the processor 12 for playback via the loudspeaker 11. A battery 15 housed in the battery compartment provides power for the playback device 10, and may also provide power for other functions of the toy 9.

A user may activate playback of the recording by the playback device 10 by pressing a button, squeezing the toy 9, producing an appropriate triggering sound, or in any other way. In preferred embodiments of the invention the recording of the individual's heartbeat is played in a looped fashion, and this may continue for a predetermined length of time, and/or until a signal is given for playback to stop.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention provide an effective and flexible way of providing toys and others objects for children that will reproduce the heartbeat of an individual, and it is expected that in almost all cases this will be the heartbeat of the child's mother. It is widely believed that this will provide comfort to the child in many circumstances.

Whilst it has previously been proposed to provide a toy or other object that produces the sound of a heartbeat, it is understood that the sound of the heartbeat of a child's own mother will be particularly comforting, and be superior in effect to that of playing any other heartbeat. It is, however, not easy to record the sound of a heartbeat effectively, and it may be difficult or impossible for a user to achieve this using conventional recording equipment.

Since it is envisaged that a recording apparatus as discussed above will be provided in a public environment such as a shop or mall, the modesty of the individual recording his or heartbeat is an issue, and the provision of a booth 1 having the recording arrangement 4 disposed in an intenor thereof allows this difficult recording operation to be carried out effectively and without comprising the modesty of the individual involved.

The dispensing of a removable data storage medium also allows great flexibility in allowing the individual to choose the type of object that they wish to provide for their child.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A recording apparatus, comprising: a recording arrangement,

including a probe to be placed on an individual's chest, for recording the sound of the individual's heartbeat; and a storage arrangement for writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium, wherein the apparatus is operable to dispense a storage device, incorporating the storage medium, the storage device being connectable to a playback device so that the sound of the individual's heartbeat can be reproduced repeatedly by the playback device.
2. A recording apparatus according to Claim 1, comprising or provided in a booth or enclosure which the individual can enter to use the recording arrangement.
3. A recording apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the storage device is dispensed at a dispensing point on the booth or enclosure.
4. A recording apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the dispensing point is on an external surface of the booth or enclosure.
5. A recording apparatus according to any preceding claims, wherein a toy or object incorporating the storage device is dispensed, the toy or object also incorporating a playback device operable to reproduce the sound of the individual's heartbeat.
6. A method of providing a sound-producing object, comprising the steps of: providing a recording apparatus comprising a recording arrangement, including a probe to be placed on an individual's chest, for recording the sound of the individual's heartbeat and a storage arrangement for writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium; using the recording arrangement, recording the heartbeat of an individual and writing data representing the recording onto a data storage medium; and inserting the storage medium into an object comprising a playback device so that the sound of the individual's heartbeat can be reproduced repeatedly thereby.
7. A method according to Claim 6, wherein the recording arrangement is provided inside a booth or enclosure which the individual can enter to use the recording arrangement.
8. A method according to Claim 7, further comprising the step of dispensing the storage medium at a dispensing point on the booth or enclosure.
9. A method according to Claim 8, whereIn the dispensing point is on an external surface of the booth or enclosure.
10. A recording apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.