GB2511915A

GB2511915A - Remote control method and remote control system for infant care apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2511915A
Application number: GB1400793.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liselotte Stolk; Roel Wijnterp; Martin Patrick Binkhorst; Maurits Cornelis Karstkarel; Rick Quirinus Franciscus Al
Original assignee: Nuna International BV
Current assignee: Nuna International BV
Priority date: 2013-01-18
Filing date: 2014-01-17
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: DE102014200790A1; CN103942935A; GB201400793D0

Abstract

A method is provided for remotely controlling at least one infant care apparatus. A remote control device can be connected in communication to the at least one infant care apparatus. A user can perform a touch operation through a graphic user interface on the remote control device for transmit a control signal to one of the least one infant care apparatus. The infant care apparatus receiving the control signal operates according to the control signal. Therefore, the user still can effectively control the operation of the infant care apparatus even without being beside the infant care apparatus. The infant care apparatus may be, for example, a crib, a playard, a cradle, a high chair, an infant carrier, an infant stroller. The remote control device may be a smartphone or tablet pc running a suitable application. The remote control may be arranged to control a motion mechanism, an audio device, a microphone, a camera, a vibrator, and/or a lighting device associated with the infant care apparatus.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1400793.4 RTM Date:8 July 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: WeChat WhatsApp Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk I L. 1 t

REMOTE CONTROL METHOD AND REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INFANT

CARE APPARATUS

Background of the invention

I Field of the Invention

The invention relates to infant care apparaius, and especially relates to a remote control system and a remote control method for infant care apparatuses.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Nowadays, for apparatuses for taking care of infants such as cribs, playards, cradles, high chairs, carriers and combination thereof, the operation or control no these apparatuses needs parents or caregivers to perform. When an infant has been placed in one of the above apparatuses, and the parent or caregiver is absent due to some reason, for example, working in another room or floor, if an issue such as waking or crying occurs to the infant, the parent or caregiver may not be aware of in time and deal with these issues.

In addition, when the parents need to work outside, the infant may have to stay at home and another family member takes care of the infant, or the infant is brought to a care institution.

In such case, the parents can be informed of the issue of the infant at home or the nursery only by the family member or the caregiver in the nursery. The parents also feel helpless to sudden issues of the infant. Insufficient care makes the parents often feel anxious about the infant, which is helpless to the care of the infant and makes the parents distract in

Summary of the invention

An obj ective of the invention is to provide a remote control method, which uses the remote control device to control at least one infant care apparatus, so that the parents or caregivers still can control operation of the infant care apparatus even without being beside the infant care apparatus.

The remote control method of the invention is used for remote controlling at least one infant care apparatus. The remote control method includes the following steps: preparing a remote control device capable of being connected in communication to the at least one infant care apparatus, the remote control device including a touch display; the remote control device displaying a graphic user interface on the touch display; the remote control device receiving a touch operation through the graphic user interface, generating a control signal according to the touch operation, and transmitting the control signal to one of the at least one infant care apparatus; and the infant care apparatus which receives the control signal operating according to the control signal. Therefore, even though the parents or caregivers are not beside the infant care apparatus, they still can effectively control the operation of the infant care apparatus.

Aiiother objective of the invention is to provide a remote control system. The remote control system includes a communication network, at least one infant care apparatus, and a remote control device. The infant care apparatus includes a first communication module, and a first processing module. The first processing module is electrically connected to the first communication module. The remote control device includes a second communication module, a touch display, and a second processing module. The second processing module is electrically connected to the second communication module and the touch display. The second processing module is connected in remote communication to the second first processing module through the second communication module, the communication network, and the first communication module. The second processing module displays a graphic user interface on the touch display, receives a touch operation through the graphic user interface, generates a control signal according to the touch operation, and transmits the control signai to the at least one infant care apparatus through the second processing module. The first processing module of the infant care apparatus receiving the control signal operates according to the control signal. Therefore, the parents or caregivers can use the remote control device to effectively oontrol the operation of the plurality of the infant oare apparatuses through the remote control system.

!bse and other orl ectmves of the preserir invention wiN no drnibt become obv ions to those of o.tnirLary skI 1± it the art after reading tine followlna detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figure.s and! drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a function block diagram of a remote control system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow ohart of a remote control method applied to the remote control system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structured menu displayed on a touch display by a remote control device of the remote control system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an infant motion machine of the remote control system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating a motion machine submenu of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a movement control submenu of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an audio control submenu of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image window and a monitor control submenu of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating only the image window of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation schedule submenu of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate the relationship between the submenus and options of the structured menu relative to the infant motion machine.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an activity log submenu of the structured menu for being displayed on the touch display.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the activity log submenu in FIG. 13 in another configuration.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the activity log submenu in FIG. 13 in another configuration.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a physical operation interface of the infant motion machine of the remote control system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the physical operation interface of the infant motion machine of the remote control system in FIG. 1 in another status.

Detailed Descriotlon Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a function block diagram of a remote control system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, the remote control system 1 includes a plurality of infant care apparatuses 12a12c, a communication network 15, and a remote control device 16.

Each of the infant care apparatuses l2al2c includes a first communication module 122 and a first processing module 124.

The first processing module 124 is electrically connected to the first communication module 122. The remote control device 16 includes a second communication module 162, a touch display 164, anda second processing module 166. The second processing module 166 is electrically connected to the second communication module 162 and the touch display 164. The second processing module 166 is connected in remote communication to the first processing module 124 through the second communication module 162, the communication network 15, and the first communication module 122. Therefore, the remote control device 16 can be connected in communication to the plurality of the infant care apparatuses 12a-42c through the communication network 15. It is added that in practice, the processing modules 124 and 166 include components reguired for carrying out the invention, such as processor, memory and so on, which is well known by any people skilled in the art and will not be described herein.

Please refer FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a remote control method applied to the remote control system 1. The remote control method is used for remote controlling the infant care apparatuses l2a-l2c. The remote control method is to prepare the remote control device 16 first, as shown by the step 5100. Then the remote control device 16 displays a graphic user interface 168 on the touch display 164, as shown by the step 5120. Now, a user can perform touch operations though the graphic user interface 168. The remote control method is to use the remote control device 16 to receive a touch operation by the user through the graphic user interface 168, to generate a control signal according to the touch operation and to transmit the control signal to one of the at least one infant care apparatuses 12a12c, as shown by the step 5140. Afterwards, the infant care apparatus l2ail2c which has received the control signal operates according to the control signal, as shown by the step 5160.

For further details, in the embodiment, the remote control device 16 is a mobile communication device such as a smart phone and a tablet, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The infant care apparatuses 12a12c are an infant motion machine 12a, a high chair 12b, and an infant carrier 12c respectively, but the invention is not limited thereto. The infant care apparatuses may include an infant stroller, a piayard, and a crib. The graphic user interface 168 includes a structured menu. The user can perform selection through the structured menu to form a required control setting. The remote control device 16 generates the control signal according to the control setting. The remote control device 16 displays the structured menu on the touch display 164 according to the touch operation by the user. In practice, the graphic user interface 168 is performed by a mobile application (APP) . The structured menu includes a main menu 1680. The graphic user interface 168 starts by displaying the main menu 1680 on the touch display 164, as shown by FIG. 3. The main menu 1680 has a plurality of apparatus options 168 0a168Cc and an activity log option 1680d, which are presented by virtual buttons with option descriptions displayed thereon. Tn the embodiment, the apparatus options 168Ca168Cc are a motion machine option 1680a, a high chair option 1680b, and an infant carrier option 168Cc respectively, corresponding to the infant care apparatuses 12a-12c respectively. The option descriptions of the apparatus options l680a-l680c use the apparatus names of the infant care apparatuses 12a12c. The structured menu includes a submenu for each of the apparatus options 168Ca1680c for the user to perform setting for a selected apparatus. Furthermore, the presentation of the virtual buttons and the displaying of the option descriptions are also applicable to the following submenus and will not be repeated hereinafter.

Take a controlling operation to the infant motion machine 12a for an example. As shown by FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the infant motion machine 12a further includes a base 126, a motion mechanism 128, a carrier 130 for an infant lying thereon, an audio device 132, a microphone 134, a camera 136, a vibrator 138, a lighting device 140, and a plurality of sensors 142.

The motion mechanism 128 is disposed on the base 126. The carrier 130 is disposed on swing arms of the motion mechanism 128. The first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a is electrically connected to the motion mechanism 128. The motion mechanism 128 can provide vertical motions (indicated by a bold line with arrows in FIG. 4) and swing motions (indicated by an arc with arrows in FIG. 4) to the carrier 130. Therefore, the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a can control the motion mechanism 128 so that the carrier 130 can motion in a plurality of motion modes through the vertical motions and the swing motions (also including combinations thereof) . If the motion mechanism 128 can provide more degrees of freedom in motion, the carrier can perform more motions. The audio device 132, the microphone 134, the camera 136, the vibrator 138, the lighting device 140, and the sensors 142 are electrically connected to the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a and disposed on the base 126 or on a toy bar 139 disposed on the carrier 130. Therein, the lens of the camera 136 faces the carrier 130 for capability of capturing images relative to an infant in the carrier 130. The vibrator 138 is disposed at a front portion of the carrier 130 and electrically connected to the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a.

As shown by FIG. 5, the structured menu includes a motion machine submenu 1681. The motion machine option 1680a in FIG. 3 links to the motion machine submenu 1681; that is, when the motion machine option l680a is selected, the motion machine submenu 1681 is enabled and displayed on the touch display 164. The motion machine submenu 1681 has a movement control option 1681a, an audio control option 1681b, a lighting option 1681c, a monitor option 1681d, and an operation schedule option 168le. For the movement control option i681a, the structured menu includes a movement control submenu 1682. The movement control option 1681a links to the movement control submenu 1682, so when the movement control option 168la is selected, the movement control submenu 1682 is enabled and displayed on the touch display 164, as shown by FIG. 6. The movement control submenu 1682 has a plurality of motion mode options 1682al682f corresponding to the motion modes (for example bouncy motion, loop motion, over moon motion, ride wave motion, slide motion, and swing motion) of the carrier respectively. The motion mode options 1682a1682f includes a bounce option 1682a, a loop option 1682b, an over moon option 1682c, a ride wave option l682d, a slide option 1682e, and a swing option l682f. When the touch operation includes selecting one of the motionmode options 1682a1682f, the infant care apparatus 12al2c receiving the control signal (i.e. the infant motion machine 12a in the embodiment) controls the carrier 130 to motion in the motion mode corresponding to the selected motion mode option according to the control signal.

In an example, the user selects the motion machine option 1680a in the main menu 1680, and the remote control device 16 displays the motion machine submenu 1681 on the touch display 164. Then, the user selects the movement control option 168la in the motion machine submenu 1681, and the remote control device 16 displays the movement control submenu 1682 on the touch display 164. Afterword, the user selects the swing option 1682f (i.e. swing motion) in the movement control submenu 1682. At the moment, the second processing module 166 of the remote control device 16 generates a control signal Si according to the touch operation (i.e. the above series of touch actions) on the touch display 164. The control signal Si includes information about the motion mode by which the carrier 130 of the infant motion machine 12a motions in the swing motion. The second processing module 166 transmits the control signal 51 through the second communication module 162.

The control signal Si is transferred through the communication network 15 to the infant mction machine 12a. The first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a receives the control signal 51 through the first communication module 122 and analyzes the control signal Si for obtaining the information about the motion mode by which the carrier of the infant motionmachine l2amotions in the swingmotion, so as to control the motion mechanism 128 to make the carrier swings. Descriptions for touch operations of the other motion modes are similar to the above and will not be illustrated herein.

In addition, in the embodiment, the movement control submenu 1682 further includes a virtual knob 1682g and a virtual vibration switch 1682h. The user can rotate the virtual knob 1682g to adjust a movement speed of the carrier and also can turn on or turn off the vibrator 138 by operating the virtual vibration switch 1682h. Therein, the vibrator 138 provides the carrier 130 vibration for example with a vibration freguency conducive to calming the infant down. In other words, when the touch operation by the user includes rotating the virtual knob 1682g, the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a controls the operation of the motion mechanism 128 according to the control signal 51, so as to adjust the movement speed of the carrier 130. when the touch operation by the user inolildes turning on or turning off the virtual vibration switch 1682h, the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a turns on or turn off the vibrator 138 correspondingly according to the control signal 51.

For the audio control option 1681b, the structured menu has an audio control submenu 1683. The audio control option 1681b links to the audio control submenu 1683, so when touch operation includes selecting the audic control option 168th, the audio control submenu 1683 is enabled and displayed on the touch display 164, as shown by FIG. 7. The audio control submenu 1683 has a plurality of audio playing options 1683al683f corresponding to a plurality of playing content of the audio device 132 respectively (such as sleep music, wake music, play music, calm music, fun music, and stream music) . The audio playing options 1683a1683f includes a sleep option 1683a, a wake option 1683b, a play option 1683c, a calm option 1683d, a fun option 1683e, and a stream option 1683f (i.e. for playing a series of music, for example the above music in turn) . When the touch operation includes selecting one of the audio playing options 1683a1683f, the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a controls the audio device 132 to operate according to the control signal Si, for example playing a lullaby through a speaker of the audio device 132. In addition, in the erhodiment, the audio control submenu 1683 further includes a virtual knob 1683g. The user can rotate the virtual knob 1683g to adjust the volume of the audio device 132.

For the monitor option 1681d, the graphic user interface 168 includes an image window 1684. The structured menu includes a monitor control submenu 1685. The monitor option 1681d links to the monitor control submenu 1685, so when the touch operation includes selecting the monitor option 1681d, the monitor control submenu 1685 and the image window 1684 are enabled and displayed on the touch display 164. The monitor control submenu 1685 is displayed beside the image window 1684, as shown by FIG. 8. The first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a enables the camera 136 and transmits an image relative to the carrier 130 (for example an image of the infant in the carrier 130) captured by the camera 136 to the remote control device 16. The second processing module 166 of the remote control device 16 receives the image through the second communication module 162 and displays the image within the image window 1684. The monitor control subnenu 1685 has a photographing option 1685a, a sound receiving option 1685b, a lens moving option 1685c, an andio control option 1685d, a lighting option 1685e, and an image sharing option 1685f. The photographing option 1685a is used for capturing and storing an infant image. The receiving option 1685b is used for enabling or disabling receiving environmental sound relative to the infant motion machine 12a, usually sounds from the infant. The lens moving option 1685c is used for controlling movement of the lens of the camera 136. She audio control option 1685d is used for adjusting the volume of sound.

The lighting option l685e (same as the above lighting option 1681c) is used for controlling operation of the lighting device 140, for example turning on, turning off, color of light, or brightness adjustment. The image sharing option 1685f is used for sharing the image captured by the camera 136. For example, when the touch operation includes selecting the image sharing option 168Sf, the remote control device 16 transmits the image to another apparatus capable of playing images, sends the image in a video email, or transmits the image to a real-time communication software (Wechat, WhatsApp Line, for example) application or a personal blog for browsing by other people. In addition, in practice, the monitor control submenu 1685 can be hidden so that only the image window 1684 is shown, as shown by FIG. 9.

For the operation schedule option 1681e, the structured menu includes an operation schedule submenu 1686. The operation schedule option 1681e links to the operation schedule submenu 1686. The operation schedule submenu 1686 has an operation item adding option 1686a, so when the touch operation includes selecting the operation schedule option 1681e, the operation schedule submenu 1686 is enabled and displayed on the touch display 164, as shown by FIG. 10. The ii schedule function of the remote control method of the invention is conducive to predetermination of the operation of the infant motion machine 12a. When the touch operation includes selecting the operation item adding option 1686a, an operation item option is added in the operation schedule submenu 1686. In the example shown by FIG. 10, the operation schedule submenu 1686 has included operation items 1686bil686e (i.e. sleep, wakeup, play, and calmdown in turn), but the invention is not limited thereto. After the predetermination, the remote control device 16 transmits the schedule of the predetermination by the control signal 81 to the infant motion machine 12a. The first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a controls the operation of the infant motion machine 12a in turn according to the schedule of the predetermination. In addition, in the embodiment, only one schedilhing set is illustrated. In practice, the structured menu can be modified in a proper way so as to allow more scheduling sets available, which can be realized by any person skilled in the art and will not be described in details herein. It is added that in practice, the relationship between the submenus and options of the structured menu relative to the infant motion machine 12a is illustrated by FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

In the foregoing description, how the remote control device 16 controls the infant motion machine 12a is described. In practice, the infant motion machine 12a also can send some sensing information back to the remote control device 16, for improvement the efficiency of the control by the remote control device 16 to the infant motion machine 12a. In the embodiment, the sensor 142 can generate a sensing signal 82.

The first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a receives the sensing signal 82 through the sensor 142 and selectively generates a warning signal 83 according to the sensing signal S2. For example, when the first processing module 124 judges that the received sensing signal 02 is larger than a predetermined value, the first processing module 124 transmits the warning signal S3 to the remote control device 16. Tn principle, the predetermined value is presented in signal intensity, for facilitating a comparison with the signal intensity of the sensing signal 02, but the invention is not limited thereto. In practice, the determination of the predetermined value depends on the sensing property of the sensor 14 or by user. In practice, the warning signal S3 may include a warning message (for example exceeding in volume, exceeding in vibration amplitude, too high temperature, or a measured value) or a warning code (for example presenting various warning messages by codes) for use by the remote control device 16. In the embodiment, the sensors 142 are used for sensing vibration, temperature, and sound. In principle, the sensors 142 are disposed according to their objectives.

For example, the sensors 142 can be disposed on the carrier for directly sensing vibration of the carrier 130, temperature of the infant in the carrier 130 (for example by infrared temperature) , and sounds of crying by the infant in the carrier 130 or noise from the environment, but the invention is not limited thereto. When the vibration amplitude (e.g. due to a body turning, getting up), the temperature (e.g. the body temperature of the infant) , or the audio intensity (e.g. a crying of the infant) by the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a through the sensors 142 is larger than the predetermined value (i.e. the first processing module 124 judges that the sensing signal 02 received from one of the sensors 142 is larger than the predetermined value corresponding to this sensor 142) , the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a transmits the warning signal 53 to the remote control device 16 through the communication module 122. The second processing module 166 of the remote control device 16 receives the warning signal 53 through the communication module 162 and sounds or vibrates, displays the warning message on the touch display 164, or emits continuously varying light, for example, flashing light through using the touch display 164 according to the warning signal 53, so as to remind the parent or caregiver to take caring action as soon as possibe.

In addition, sometimes the signal due to vibration sound causing by body turning, getting up or crying is not larger than the predetermined value, but when the above issues continue for a predetermined time period, it still needs the parent or caregiver to take action. So when the infant motion machine l2a senses vibration or sound exceeding the predetermined time period, the infant motion machine 12a transmit the warning signal 53 to the remote control device 16. The remote control device 16 receives the warning signal S3 and sounds or vibrates, displays a warning message on the touch display 164, or emits continuously varying light using the touch display 164 according to the warning signal 53, so as to remind the parent or caregiver for take care as soon as possible. In practice, the accumulative time of sensed vibration or sound through the sensors 142 on the infant motion machine 12a can be compared with a threshold value, which is applicable to the cases of the infant making noise continuously (for example murmuring, sobbing, yawning) and producing vibration continuously (for example continuously flipping, sguirming due to waking or not sleeping well) Therefore, the threshold value is smaller than the predetermined value in principle. In addition, in practice, when the infant motion machine 12a transmits the warning signal S3 (no matter due to the sensing signal 52 being larger than the predetermined value or the sensing signal S2 being sensed continuously exceeding the predetermined time period) the infant motion machine l2a enables the camera 136 and transmits an image captured by the camera 136 to the remote control device 16, so that the parent or caregiver can observe the infant in time through the image. In the embodiment, after the remote control device 16 receives the image, the second processing module 166 displays the image window 1684 on the touch display 164 and the image within the image window 1684 (referring to FIG. 8 or FIG. 9) For controlling the other infant care apparatuses (i.e. the high chair 12b and the infant carrier 12c) using the remote control device 16, a person skilled in the art can carry out by referring to the description of controlling the infant motion machine 12a using remote control device 16, which will not be described herein. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the main menu 1680 shows only the infant motion machine 12a, the high chair 12b, and the infant carrier 12c, but the invention is not limited thereto. In the embodiment, the main nenu 1680 further includes an apparatus adding option 1680e, for adding new apparatus to be controlled, such as a stroller, a crib, a playard and so on. In addition, it is added that as described above, the touch operation can be taken to include a series of touch actions by the user, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a shortcut option can be disposed in the main menu 1680 for accelerating control response.

The remote control method of the invention further has a function of logging in addition to the above functions of controlling and receiving warring signals. That is, when the touch operation includes selecting the activity log option 1680d, the remote control device 16 displays operation records of the at least one infant care apparatus l2al2c on the touch display 164 for convenience of the parent or caregiver to inspect the activities of the infant care apparatus, which is conducive to understanding The daily issues of the infant.

In the embodiment, the structured menu has an activity log submenu 1687. Ihe activity log option 1680d links to the activity log submenu 1687, so when the activity log option 1680d is selected, the activity log submenu 1687 is enabled and displayed on the touch display 164, as shown by FIG. 13.

The activity log submenu 1687 has a displaying all option 1687a, a plurality of displaying apparatus options l687b-1687d, a plurality of displaying interval options 1687e, and a graphically displaying option 1687f. The displaying apparatus options 1687b-1687d are a displaying motion machine option i687b, a displaying high chair option 1687c, a displaying infant carrier option 1687d corresponding to the infant care apparatus l2a12c respectively.

When the touch operation includes selecting the displaying all option 1687a, the remote control device 16 displays the operation records of all of the at least one infant care apparatus 12a12c on the touch display 164. When the touch operation includes selecting the displaying motion machine option 1687b, the remote control device 16 displays the operation records of the infant motion machine 12a on the touch display 164. When the touch operation includes selecting one of the displaying interval options 1687e, the remote control device 16 displays the operation records corresponding to the selected displaying interval option 1687e on the touch display 164. For example, FIG. 13 shows the operation records on Monday, January 4. FIG. 14 shows the operation records in the 43rd week in 2012. Therein, the selection of the displaying interval options 1687e is indicated by virtual arrow keys with displaying interval description beside the virtual arrow keys; however, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the activity log submenu 1687 thereon displays a plurality of clickable displaying intervals. When the touch operation includes selecting the graphically displaying option l687f, the remote control device 16 displays activity measurements (i.e. measurements or calculations to activity for example sleeping, eating, playing, moving distance of a stroller) of the operation records in a Gantt chart on the touch display 164. Tn the embodiment, the activity measurements are presented by duration time intervals of using or operating of the apparatuses, as shownby FIG. 15; however, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, for an infant strolier, it is proper to present the activity measurement by distance.

Therein, when the operation records the infant care apparatus 12a12c are displayed at the same time, the remote control device 16 displays the operation records of the infant care apparatuses 12a-12c in blocks in different colors for different ones of the infant care apparatuses 12a-l2c on the touch display 164.

It is added that in the embodiment, the structured menu includes a graphically displaying submenu 1688. The graphically displaying option 1687f links to the graphically displaying submenu 1688, so when the touch operation includes selecting the graphically displaying option 1687f, the graphically displaying submenu 1688 is enabled and displayed on the touch display 164, as shown by FIG. 15. The graphically displaying submenu 1688 has a plurality of activity item options 1688aH688d corresponding to different classes of operation record (for example, sleeping, playing, seating, and moving distance) . The activity item option 1688ail688d includes a sleep option 1688a, a play option 1688b, an eat option 1688c, and a moving distance option 1688d for indicating the time of the infant in sleeping, playing, eating, and the distance of the infant travelling in the infant care apparatus (such as a stroller) respectively. When the touch operation includes selecting one of the activity item options 1688ail688d, the remote control device 16 displays the activity measurements of the operation records corresponding to the selected activity item option i688aH688d in a Gantt chart on the touch display 164.

It is added that the operation records of the infant care apparatuses 12al2c are recorded and stored in a memory of the first processing module 12 of the infant care apparatuses 12a-12c. When the remote control device 16 is conrectecl in communication to the infant care apparatuses 12a42c, the second processing module 166 of the remote control device 16 receives the operation record of the at least one infant care apparatuses 12al2c from the at least one infant care apparatuses 12a12 through the second communication module 162. In addition, in the errbodiment, the comnraunicatiori network can be a public switch telephone network (PSTN) , an internet (including Internet) , a local area network (LAN) , or a mobile communication network, so that the remote control device 16 is capable of being connected in remote communication to the infant care apparatuses 12a12c, which is convenient to the parent at work to use the remote control device 16 such as a smart phone, a tablet, or a computer to remote control in his office.

The above descriptions are for the controlling by the remote control device 16 to the infant care apparatuses 12a12c, but the invention about the controlling to the infant care apparatus 12a-12c is limited thereto. In the embodiment, take the infant motion machine 12a for an example. As shown by FIG. 16, the infant motion machine 12a includes a physical operation interface 144 disposed on the base 126 (indicated by dashed rectangles in FIG. 16) and electrically connected to the first processing module 124 of the infant motion machine 12a. The first processing module 124 is capable of controlling the motion mechanism 128 according to an operation using the physical operation interface 144. The physical operation interface 144 includes two selection buttons 1442a and 1442b, a plurality of function buttons 1444a1444d, a knob 1446, and a plurality of condition indication lamps 1448. The function button 1444a1444d corresponds to available functions provided by the infant motion machine 12a, for example the carrier 130 motioning, playing music, lighting, and the carrier 130 vibrating. After selecting one of the funotion buttons 1444a"1444d, the user can use the selection buttons 1442a and 1442b to perform setting on parameters of the selected function. The condition indication lamp 1448 is used for indicating the parameters. The knob 1446 is used for adjusting settings about intensity, for example the intensity of lighting, the movement speed of the carrier 130, the vibration amplitude of the carrier 130, the volume of playing music and so on. In the embodiment, the knob 1446 can be a retractable knob, disposed on a surface 1262 of the base 126.

The physical operation interface 144 further includes a start indication lamp 1450 disposed on the knob 1446. when the knob 1446 is pressed, the knob 1446 is retracted back or protruded out of the surface 1262. Therein, when the knob 1446 is protruded out of the surface 1262, the start indication lamp 1450 emits light. When the knob 1446 is retracted back to the surface 1262, the start indication lamp 1450 is turned off, and the top surface of the knob 1446 is aligned with the surface 1262, so as to maintain a smooth appearance of the surface 1262, as shown by FIG. 17. Furthermore, preferably, the light intensity of the start indication lamp 1450 can be varied as the knob 1446 is rotated for indicating the situation of the adjustment. Otherwise, the color of emitting light can be varied as different function is switched.

As discussed above, compared with the control operation to the conventional infant care apparatus, the invention can remote control the infant care apparatus, so the parent or caregiver can perform control without being beside the infant care apparatus, which facilitates the controlling to the infant care apparatus. Furthermore, by the image monitoring, even though the parent or caregiver is at a far place, he still can handle the issue of the infant in time and deals with the issue by remote controlling the infant care apparatus immediately so as to avoid the issue getting worse.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.

Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

Cl aims What is claimed is: 1. A remote control method for remote controlling at least one infant care apparatus, the remote control method comprising: preparing a remote control device capable of being connected in communication to the at least one infant care apparatus, the remote control device ccmprising a touch display; the remote control device displaying a graphic user interface on the touch display; the remote control device receiving a touch cperation through the graphic user interface, generating a control signal according to the touch operacion, and transmitting the control signal to one of the at least one infant care apparatus; and the infant care apparatus which receives the control signal operating according to the control signal.
2. The remote control method of claim 1, wherein the infant care apparatus receiving the control signal is an infant motion machine, the infanu motion machine comprises an carrier, the carrier has a plurality of motion modes, the graphic user interface comprises a structured menu, the remote control device displays the structured menu on the touch display according to the touch operation, the structured menu comprises a main menu, the main menu has a plurality of apparatus options, the apparatus options comprises a motion machine option, the motion machine option corresponds to the infant motion machine, the structured menu comprises a motion machine submenu, the motion machine option links to the motion machine submenu, the motion machine submenu has a movement control option, the structured menu comprises a movement control submenu, the movement control option links to the movement control submenu, the movement control snbmenu has a plurality of motion mode options, the motion mode options correspond to the motion modes, and when the touch operation comprises selecting one of the motionmode options, the infant motion machine controls the carrier to motion in the motion mode corresponding to the selected motion mode option according to the control signal.
3. The remote control method of claim 2, wherein the movement control submenu has a virual knob, and when the touch operation comprises rotating the virtual knob, the infant motion machine adjusts a movement speed of the carrier according to the control signal.
4. The remote control method of claim 2, wherein the main menu has an activity log option, and when the touch operation comprises selecting the activity log option, the remote control device displays operation records of the at least one infant care apparatus on the touch display.
5. The remote control method of claim 4, wherein the structured menu comprises an activity log submenu, the activity log option links to the activity log submenu, the activity log submenu has an displaying all option, a plurality of displaying apparatus options, a plurality of displaying interval options, and a graphically displaying option, the displaying apparatus options comprises a displaying motion machine option, the displaying motion machine option corresponds to the infant motion machine, when the touch operation comprises selecting the displaying all option, the remote control device displays the operation records of all of the at least one infant care apparatus on the touch display, when the touch operation comprises selecting the displaying motion machine option, the remote control device displays the operation records of the infant motion machine on the touch display, when the touch operation comprises selecting one of the displaying interval options, the remote control device displays the operation records corresponding to the selected displaying interval option on the touch display, and when the touch operation comprises selecting the graphically displaying option, the remote control device displays the operation records in a Gantt chart on the touch display.
6. The remote control method of claim 5, wherein the remote control device displays the operation records of the infant care apparatuses in blocks in different colors for different ones of the at least one infant care apparatuses on the touch display.
7. The remote control method of claim 5, wherein the structured menu comprises a graphically displaying submenu, the graphically displaying oprion links to the graphically displaying submenu, the graphically displaying submenu has apluralityof activity item options, and when the touch operation comprises seleccing one of the activity item options, the remote control device displays the operation records corresponding to the selected activity item option in a Gantt chart on the touch display.
8. The remote control method of claim 2, wherein the motion machine submenu has an operation schedule option, the structured menu comprises an operation schedule submenu, the operation schedule option links to the operation schedule submenu, the operation schedule submenu has an operation item adding option, and when the touch operation comprises selecting the operation item adding option, an operation item option is added to the operation schedule submenu.
9. A remote control system operating with a communication network, comprising: at least one infant care apparatus, the infant care apparatus comprising a first communication module and a first processing module, the first processing module beiug electrically conuected to the first communication module; and a remote oontrol device, comprising a second communication module, a touch display, and a second prooessing module, the second processing module being electrically connected to the second communication module and the touch display, the second processing module being connected in remote communication to the first processing module through the second communication module, the communication network, and the first communication module, the second processing module displaying a graphic user interface on the touch display, receiving a touch operation through the graphic user interface, generating a control signal according to the touch operation, and transmitting the control signal to the at least one infant care apparatus through the second communication module, the first processing module of the infant care apparatus which receives the control signal operating according to the control signal.
10. The remote control system of claim 9, wherein the infant care apparatus receiving the control signal is an infant motion machine, the infant motion machine comprises a base, a motion mechanism, and an carrier, the motion mechanism is disposed on the base, the carrier is disposed on the motion mechanism, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is electrically connected to the motion mechanism, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is capable of controlling the motion mechanism so that the carrier is capable of motioning in a plurality of motion modes, the graphic user interface comprises a structured menu, the second processing module displays the structured menu on the touch display according to the touch operation, the structured menu comprises a main menu, the main menu has a plurality of apparatus options, the apparatus options comprises a motion machine option, the motion machine option corresponds to the infant motion machine, the structured menu comprises a motion machine submenu, the motion machine option links to the motion machine submenu, the motion machine submenu has a movement control option, the structured menu comprises a movement control submenu, the movement control option links to the movement control submenu, the movement control submenu has a plurality of motion mode options, the motion mode options correspond to the motion modes, and when the touch operation comprises selecting one of the motion mode options, the first processing module of the infant motion machine controls the motion mechanism to make the carrier motion in the motion mode corresponding to the selected motion mode option according to the control signal.
U. The remote control system of claim 10, wherein the infant motion machine comprises a vibrator, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is electrically connected to the vibrator, the movement control submenu has a virtual vibration switch, and when the touch operation comprises turning on or turning off the virtual vibration switch, the first processing module of the infant motion machine turns on or turns off the vibrator according to the control signal correspondingly.
12. The remote control system of claim 10, wherein the infant motion machine comprises an audio device, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is electrically connected to the audio device, the motion machine submenu has an audio control option, the structured menu comprises an audio control submenu, the audio control option links to the audio control submenu, the audio control submenu has a plurality of audio playing options, and when the touch operation comprising selecting one of the audio playing options, the first processing module of the infant motion machine controls the audio device to operate according to the control signal.
13. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the audio control submenu has a virrual knob, and when the touch operation comprises rotating the virtual knob, the first processing module of the infant motion machine adjusts volume of the audio device according to the control signal -
14. The remote control system of claim 10, wherein the infant motion machine comprises a camera, the camera is disposed toward the carrier and elecrrically connected to the first processing module of the infant motion machine, the motion machine submenu has a monitor option, the graphic user interface comprises an image window, and when the touch operation comprises selecting the monitor option, the second processing module of the remote control device displays the image window on the touch display, the first processing module of the infant motion machine enables the camera and transmits an image relative to the carrier captured by the camera to the remote control device through the first communication module, and the second module of the remote control device receives the image through second communication module and displays the image within the image window.
15. The remote control system of claim 14, wherein the infant motion machine comprises an audio device, a microphone, and a lighting device, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is electrically connected to the audio device, the microphone, and the lighting device, the structured menu comprises a monitor control submenu, the monitor option links to the monitor control submenu, the monitor control submenu has a photographing option, a receiving option, a lens moving option, an andio control option, and a lighting option, and when the touch operation comprises selecting the monitor option, the second processing module of the remote control device displays the monitor control submenu beside the image window.
16. The remote control system of claim 15, wherein the monitor control submenu has an image sharing option, and when the touch operation comprises selecting the image sharing option, the second processing module of the remote control device transmits the image to another device capable of playing images.
17. The remote control system of claim 9, wherein the infant care apparatus comprises a sensor for generating a sensing signal, and the first processing module of the infant care apparatus is electrically connected to the sensor.
18. The remote control system of claim 17, wherein when the first processing module of the infant care apparatus receives the sensing signal through the sensor and judges that the sensing signal is larger than a predetermined value, the first processing module of the infant care apparatus transmits a warning signal to the remote control device through the first communication module, and the second processing module of the remote control device receives the warning signal through the second communication module and then displays a warning message on the touch display or emits continuously varying bright light using the touch display according to the warning signal.
19. The remote control system of claim 17, wherein when the first processing module of the infant care apparatus senses vibration or sound through the sensor exceeding a predetermined time period, the first processing module of the infant care apparatus transmits a warning signal to the remote control device through the first communication module, and the second processing module of the remote control device receives the warning signal through the second communication module and then displays a warning message on the touch display, or emits continuously varying light using the touch display according to the warning signal.
20. The remote control system of claim 9, wherein the infant care apparatus receiving the control signal is an infant motion machine, the infant motion machine comprises a base, a motion mechanism, and an carrier, the motion mechanism is disposed on the base, the carrier is disposed on the motion mechanism, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is electrically connected to the motion mechanism, the motion mechanism is capable of providing vertical motions and swing motions to the carrier, the first processing module of the infant motion machine is capable of controlling the motion mechanism so that the carrier is capable of motioning in a plurality of motion modes through the vertical motions and the swing motions.
21. The remote control system of claim 20, wherein the infant motion machine comprises a physical operation interface disposed on the base and electrically connected to the first processing module, and the first processing module is capable of controlling the motion mechanism according to an operation by the physical operation interface.
22. The remote control systemofclaim2l, whereinthephysical operation interface comprises at least one selection button, a plurality of function buttons, a knob, and a plurality of condition indication lamps.
23. The remote control system of claim 22, wherein the knob is a retractable knob dispose on a surface of the base, the physical operation interface comprises a start indication lamp, when the knob is pressed, the knob is retracted back or protruded out of the surface, aud when the knob is protruded out of the surface, the start indication lamp emits light.
24. The remote control system of claim 20, wherein the infant motion machine comprises a play bar, a camera, an audio device, and a microphone, the play bar, the camera, the audio device, and the microphone are electrically connected to the first processing module, the play bar is disposed on the carrier, the camera, the audio device, and the microphone are disposed on the play bar, and the camera is disposed toward the carrier.