US20100148955A1 - Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use - Google Patents
Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use Download PDFInfo
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- US20100148955A1 US20100148955A1 US12/628,045 US62804509A US2010148955A1 US 20100148955 A1 US20100148955 A1 US 20100148955A1 US 62804509 A US62804509 A US 62804509A US 2010148955 A1 US2010148955 A1 US 2010148955A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
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- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
- G16H40/60—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
- G16H40/67—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring a baby is disclosed incorporating a parent unit in communication with a baby unit. The parent unit includes a function operable to temporarily mute the substantial reproduction of baby sounds at the parent unit. The parent unit may additionally included a plurality of outputs including a digital display of the time remaining before the temporary mute function is disabled, a visual indication that the substantial reproduction of sound is muted, a visual display indicative of the volume of the baby sounds, and music played when the substantial reproduction of sound is muted. Embodiments of the invention also include a safety features operable to disable the temporary mute function in possible emergency situations.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/531,275, filed on Sep. 12, 2006, the contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Devices used to remotely monitor a sleeping baby.
- Parents are faced with the problem of teaching their baby to sleep through the night. This can be particularly problematic when the baby sleeps in a separate room from the parents. Separation from the parents is a new experience for the baby and can be traumatic. As a result, the baby may be unable to sleep or may sleep sporadically, waking-up and crying several times throughout the night. Typically, a parent will come to comfort the baby until the baby falls back asleep. Then the parent will return to his or her bedroom and return to sleep, sometimes being woken-up again a short time later by the baby.
- Child development experts, such as Dr. Richard Ferber, advocate an approach to child rearing that attempts to let the baby “cry itself to sleep.” In particular, when the baby wakes-up and begins to cry, the parents do not immediately respond by coming to comfort the baby. It is thought that by allowing the baby to cry for a certain amount of time, the baby will gradually learn to master the anxiety of being alone. Initially, the baby may be left alone for a short time. As the baby begins to gain a greater level of comfort with being alone, progressively longer time intervals may be used. This approach to child rearing has become known as the Ferber Method.
- Parents seeking to use the Ferber Method may employ the use of a baby monitor. Monitors such as these include a unit maintained in the room with the baby and a unit kept with the parents. The baby unit allows crying or other sounds made by the baby to be picked-up and transmitted to the parent unit. The parent unit receives the transmission from the baby unit allowing the baby sounds to be substantially reproduced in proximity to the parents. Remote monitoring allows a parent and child to sleep in separate rooms. When used in connection with the Ferber Method, the parent unit is turned off or otherwise disabled for a certain amount of time during which the baby is allowed to cry without receiving attention.
- Attempting to implement the Ferber Method using prior art baby monitors inevitably leads to problems. In particular, the parents may fall back asleep when the parent unit is disabled. With the parents sleeping and no longer in contact with the baby, the baby may be left to cry for a much longer time than is desirable. A solution to this problem is to disable the baby monitor and to set an alarm clock. If the parents then fall back asleep, they can be assured that they will be woken-up at a predetermined time and the baby will not be left alone for too long. However, this Method suffers from the drawback that if the baby does in fact “cry itself to sleep” the parents are still woken-up when the alarm goes off. The parents then lose valuable sleep by having to disable the alarm, possibly having to reset the alarm to a normal waking time, and then having to fall back asleep.
- Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a baby monitor with a parent unit that is capable of being muted for a predetermined time after which the parent unit functions normally. Additionally, it would be desirable for the predetermined time in which the baby monitor is muted to be adjustable.
- The present invention is directed to an improved baby monitor and a method for using the improved baby monitor. The present invention includes a baby monitor with a parent unit that features a temporary mute function. When this function is enabled, the parent unit's audio is disabled. In particular, sounds received at the baby unit are not reproduced at the parent unit. After a predetermined time, the temporary mute function is disabled, allowing sounds received at the baby unit to be again substantially reproduced at the parent unit. The parents may adjust the time in which the parent unit remains muted.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the parent unit features an actuator, such as a button disposed on the top of the device, that enables the temporary mute function. An initial actuation of the actuator causes the parent unit to be temporarily muted for an initial amount of time. Subsequent actuations of the actuator thereafter cause additional time intervals to be added to the total amount of time that the parent unit will remain muted. Alternatively, separate actuators may control the mute function enablement and the addition of time intervals.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the parent unit features a display of the time remaining until the temporary mute function will be disabled and the parent unit will again substantially reproduce sounds picked-up by the baby unit. When the parent unit is muted this display provides an indication of the time in which the baby will be allowed to cry.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the parent unit features a visual display indicative of sounds being made by the baby. This feature provides the parents an indication of whether or not the baby is crying at times when the parent unit is muted. This display may be comprised of a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a known manner to indicate sound level. Alternatively, liquid crystal displays (LCD) or other known display methods may be used to indicate sound level.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the parent unit features an indicator that signals that the temporary mute function is enabled. This indicator may be a light emitting diode disposed on the face of the device that is illuminated when the temporary muted function is enabled.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the parent unit plays classical music or other musical genres when the temporary mute function is enabled. The parent unit may contain a toggle switch that enables this mode of operation.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the baby monitor includes safety features responsive to sounds made by the baby that cause the temporary mute function to be prematurely disabled. An example of a safety feature within the scope of the invention is a volume threshold. In particular, if the volume of the baby's crying exceeds a certain decibel level this may indicate an emergency situation in need of immediate attention by the parents. Accordingly, at such a sound level the temporary mute function will be disabled and the parent unit will again substantially reproduce sounds made by the baby. Alternative safety features are also within the scope of the invention. In particular, pattern recognition techniques may be used to identify baby cries that are indicative of particular needs.
- In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the improved baby monitor is used by parents to allow their baby to cry for a certain predetermined time. Accordingly, the baby and the baby unit are placed in one room and the parents and the parent unit are located in another room. When the baby awakens during the night and begins to cry, the parents are woken-up by the parent unit that operates to substantially reproduce the baby's cries that have been picked-up by the baby unit. The parents then enable the temporary mute function for a predetermined amount of time and then perhaps fall back asleep. After the predetermined time the temporary mute function is disabled and the parent unit again may substantially reproduce sounds made by the baby. If at this time the baby is still crying, then the parents are again woken-up and may proceed to comfort the baby. Alternatively, if the baby has ceased crying and gone back to sleep, the parents are not woken-up by any sounds and thus continue to sleep.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a baby monitor system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a baby monitor system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a front view of a parent unit of a baby monitor system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a method of monitoring a baby in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. - The present invention is directed to a baby monitor system that can be muted when parents wish to allow their baby to cry for a certain time without receiving attention. After a certain time the baby monitor's mute will be disabled and the parents will again hear cries or other sounds made by the baby. Parents may use such a baby monitor in attempt to teach the baby greater independence by allowing it to “cry itself to sleep.”
- Turning now to
FIG. 1 , wherein ababy monitoring system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is illustrated.FIG. 1 shows ababy 104 placed in acrib 108 located in anursery 114. Nearby is ababy unit 118. Thebaby unit 118 is placed sufficiently close to the baby'scrib 108 to allow crying or other noises made by thebaby 104 to be picked up. Additionally,FIG. 1 shows abedroom 122 where the baby'sparents 126 are lying inbed 128. Nearby is aparent unit 132.Parent unit 132 includes anactuator 136 for use in connection a temporary mute function, as described in greater detail below. As can be appreciated, theparent unit 132 need not be used exclusively used in a bedroom. For example, theparent unit 132 may be used in a kitchen at a time when theparents 126 are preparing a meal or in any room at a time when the parents desire to remotely monitor thebaby 104. Additionally, theparent unit 132 may be used by other caregivers, such as baby-sitters, that may be in charge of the baby's 104 welfare. -
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of ababy monitor system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The system includes ababy unit 118 andparent unit 132 in electronic communication through communication link 200. Preferably, the communication link 200 is a radio frequency communication link. Although, other types of communication links between thebaby unit 118 and theparent unit 132 are within the scope of the invention. For example, thebaby unit 118 and theparent unit 132 may communicate over a direct wired connection. Alternatively, thebaby unit 118 andparent unit 132 may communicate over a local area network (LAN) used to interconnect electronic devices in the family home. - The
baby unit 118 includes atransmitter portion 204 that receivesinput 208. Theinput 208 comprises audible sounds in the environment of thebaby unit 118. Such audible sounds include cries or other sounds made by thebaby 104. The transmitter portion includes asignal generator 212 and a transducer 216. Thesignal generator 212 operates to produce an electronic signal representative of theinput 208. The transducer 216 operates to transmit the electronic signal over communication link 200 to areceiver portion 220 of theparent unit 132. In accordance with embodiments of the present, thetransmitter portion 204 employs known radio frequency techniques such as frequency modulation, amplitude modulation or pulse width modulation. Additionally, thebaby unit 118 includes apower supply 224. Preferably, thepower supply 224 comprises a battery. Alternatively, thepower supply 224 may comprise an AC power line. - The
receiver portion 220 incorporated in theparent unit 132 includes atransducer 228 and aprocessor 232. Thetransducer 228 receives the electronic signal transmitted by thebaby unit 118 over the communication link 200. Theprocessor 232 processes the received signal in preparation to be sent to anoutput portion 236, also incorporated in theparent unit 132. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, thereceiver portion 220 uses appropriate known radio frequency techniques to demodulate the signal received over the communication link 200. - In addition to a
receiver portion 220 and anoutput portion 236, theparent unit 132 also includes auser input portion 240. Theuser input portion 240 includes anactuator 136 operable to control timing and/or muting features of the present invention. - In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
output portion 236 also includes anaudio volume control 248 and atoggle switch 252 operable to switch theparent unit 132 between different modes of operation. Theactuator 136 and thetoggle switch 252 are discussed in greater detail below. - The
parent unit 132 additionally includes aprocessor unit 256 operable to receiveuser inputs 240 and to control the operation of theoutput portion 236. Theprocessor 256 may be a hardwired control unit or a processor capable of executing program instructions. Accordingly, theprocessor unit 256 may include any general-purpose programmable processor, digital signal processor (DSP) or controller for executing application programming. Alternatively, theprocessor 256 may comprise a specially configured application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Additionally, theprocessor 256 may included atimer 260 for use in connection with the temporary mute functionality, as described below. - The
processor unit 256 may additionally includememory 264 for use in connection with the execution of the programming by theprocessor 256. Thememory 264 may comprise solid-state memory resident, removable or remote in nature, such as DRAM and SDRAM. Where theprocessor 256 comprises a controller, thememory 264 may be integral to theprocessor 256. Additionally, thememory 264 may contain a digital representation of audio content used in connection with embodiments of the present invention described below. - The
output portion 236 provides audio and visual output for theparent unit 132 based on signals received from thereceiver portion 220 and theprocessor unit 256. Theoutput portion 236 includes anaudio signal generator 270 that converts the received audio signal to signals suitable to drive theaudio transducer 274. Generally, thetransmitter 204,receiver 220 andoutput 236 pathway uses know electronic communication techniques to substantially reproduce theinput 208 received at thebaby unit 118 at theparent unit 132. As such electronic methods inherently contain certain imperfections and theinput 208 may not be perfectly reproduced, the baby sounds are herein described as being “substantially reproduced.” In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, theoutput portion 236 additionally includes adigital display 278 of time information, anindicator light 282, and/or avisual display 284 of received sound levels for use in connection with embodiment of the present invention described below. - Additionally, the
parent unit 132 includes apower supply 286. Preferably, thepower supply 286 comprises a battery. Alternatively, thepower supply 286 may comprise an AC power line. -
FIG. 3 shows a detailed illustration of aparent unit 132 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Theparent unit 132 includes anantenna 300 for receiving transmissions from thebaby unit 118 and aspeaker 304 for reproducing sounds made by thebaby 104 that have been received from thebaby unit 118. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, theantenna 300 may comprise of a component of the communication link 200. Additionally, thespeaker 304 may comprise a component of theaudio transducer 274. Theparent unit 132 may also include avolume control mechanism 248 that allows the volume of the substantially reproduced baby sounds to be adjusted. - The
parent unit 132 includes functionality that allows the substantially reproduced baby sounds to be temporarily muted. In accordance with embodiment of the present invention,depressing actuator button 136, shown inFIG. 3 as being disposed on the top of theparent unit 132, enables this functionality. The baby'sparents 126 or caregivers may utilize this functionality at a time when they wish to let thebaby 104 cry for a certain time without receiving attention. Enabling the temporary muting functionality silences the parent unit's 132 reproduction of sounds made by thebaby 104 for a predetermined time. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the temporary muting functionality is disabled and theparent unit 132 again substantially reproduces sounds made by thebaby 104. -
Parent unit 132 may remain muted for a fixed amount of time. Alternatively, the present invention may include functionality that allows for the amount of time that theparent unit 132 remains muted to be adjusted. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the time that theparent unit 132 remains muted is kept by thetimer 260 and may be adjusted by repeatedlydepressing actuator button 136. In particular, a depression of theactuator button 136 results in an increment of time being added to the time remaining before the temporary muting functionality is disabled. Time may be added to thetimer 260 in a series of increments such as 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 60 and 90 minutes. Accordingly, one depression of theactuator button 136 results in a muting time of two minutes, two depressions result in a muting time of five minutes, and so on. Other series of time increments are within the scope of the invention. For example, time may be added in series of increments such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, et cetera. Additionally, the series of time increments may repeat after a certain amount of depressions of theactuator button 136. For example, referring to first example above, nine depressions of theactuator button 136 would result in a time interval of two minutes. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,parent unit 132 includes adigital display 278 that shows the time (kept by timer 260) remaining before the temporary muting functionality is disabled. - In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
parent unit 132 includes a mode in which an alternative audio content is played when the temporary muting functionality is enabled. For example, theparent 126 or caregiver enables the temporary muting functionality and theparent unit 132 plays classical music instead of sounds made by thebaby 104. Alternatively, other music genres are within the scope of the invention. Thetoggle switch 252, described above in connection withuser input portion 240, turns this mode on and offFIG. 3 shows thetoggle switch 252 disposed on the face of theparent unit 132. - In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
parent unit 132 may include avisual display 284 indicating the presence and/or volume of sounds currently being made by thebaby 104. As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art, such avisual display 284 may consist of a series of light emitting diodes or other electronic indicators appropriately arranged to indicate sound level. - In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
parent unit 132 may include an indicator light 282 illuminated at such times when the temporary muting functionality is enabled.FIG. 3 shows this indicator light 282 disposed on the face of theparent unit 132. - It may be desirable for the
baby monitor system 100 to include one or more safety features that operate to disable the temporary muting functionality in response to sounds made by thebaby 104. For example, if the sounds made by thebaby 104 exceed a certain volume this may indicate an emergency situation requiring attention by theparents 126 or caregivers. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide aparent unit 132 that measures the volume of the sounds made by thebaby 104 and compares the measurement with a predetermined threshold. If the measured volume exceeds the predetermined threshold, the temporary muting functionality is disabled and, immediately, theparent unit 132 substantially reproduces sounds made thebaby 104. Theprocessor 256 may carry out such measurement and comparison calculation. Alternative safety features are also within the scope of the invention. In particular, pattern recognition techniques may be used to identify baby cries that are indicative of particular needs. - Turning now to
FIG. 4 , a method of monitoring a baby in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is shown in block diagram form. Atstep 400, thebaby monitor system 100 is enabled. In particular,baby unit 118 andparent unit 132 are turned on and placed in appropriate locations. Thebaby unit 118 is placed sufficiently close the baby's bed orcrib 108 to allow crying or other noises made by the baby to be picked up. Theparent unit 132 is placed in a location convenient for theparents 126 at such times when thebaby 104 needs to be monitored. - At
step 404, theparent 126 or caregiver puts thebaby 104 down for sleep. Additionally, atstep 404, the parent attends to the baby's 104 needs in an attempt to soothe thebaby 104 to sleep. Examples of such soothing gestures known to parents include singing lullabies and reading stories. At such time that theparent 126 decides thebaby 104 should be left alone, he or she retires to a different room in the family home. Preferably, theparent 126 retires after thebaby 104 has gone to sleep, but as can be appreciated this is not always the case. - At
step 408, theparents 126 or caregivers lie down for sleep. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, enabling theparent unit 132 may occur atstep 408 when theparents 126 are lying down for sleep as opposed to initially atstep 400. Atstep 412, both thebaby 104 and theparents 126 remain sleeping. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention include methods wherein thebaby monitor system 100 is used at times when theparents 126 are not sleeping. For example, thebaby monitor system 100 may be used when theparents 126 are preparing a meal in the kitchen. Theparents 126 may use thebaby monitor 100 at any time when they are located in a room of the house that is removed from thenursery 114 and desire to monitor thebaby 104. - At
step 412, thebaby monitor 100 remains in operation, and if thebaby 104 continues to sleep the parents are not woken-up. Accordingly, thebaby 104 and theparents 126 continue to sleep. However, if atstep 416, thebaby 104 awakens and begins to cry, step 420 follows. - At
step 420, operation of thebaby monitor system 100 causes theparents 126 to awaken. In particular, the baby's 104 cries are picked-up by thebaby unit 118 and transmitted to theparent unit 132. At theparent unit 132, the baby's 104 cries are substantially reproduced at sufficient volume to awaken theparents 126. - At
step 424, theparents 126 determine that they will let thebaby 104 cry for a amount of time. As discussed above, the decision to let thebaby 104 cry is made in an attempt to foster independence and greater maturity in thebaby 104. Additionally, it is hoped that thebaby 104 will cry itself back to sleep. Accordingly, theparents 126 enable parent unit's 132 temporary muting function. As described above this may be accomplished by depressingactuator button 136. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, step 420 may include setting a time (kept by timer 260) in which the temporary muting function remains enabled. The may be accomplished by repeated actuations of theactuator 136. When theparents 126 determine that sufficient time has been added, they fall back asleep. - At
step 424, theparents 126 determine that they will let thebaby 104 cry for a amount of time. As discussed above, the decision to let thebaby 104 cry is made in an attempt to foster independence and greater maturity in thebaby 104. Additionally, it is hoped that thebaby 104 will cry itself back to sleep. Accordingly, theparents 126 enable parent unit's 132 temporary muting function. As described above this may be accomplished by depressingactuator button 136. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, step 420 may include setting a time (kept by timer 260) in which the temporary muting function remains enabled. This may be accomplished by repeated actuations of theactuator 136. When theparents 126 determine that sufficient time has been added, they fall back asleep. - At
step 432, thetimer 260 expires and the temporary mute function is disabled. As a result, theparent unit 132 is again allowed to substantially reproduce cries or other sounds made by thebaby 104. Whether or not thebaby 104 is still crying (decision diamond 436), will determine if theparents 126 wake-up a second time. If thebaby 104 is still crying, theparents 126 will wake-up a second time (step 440) and then proceed to attend to the baby 104 (step 404). At this point the method will proceed as described above. Alternatively, if thebaby 104 has fallen back asleep, theparent 126 will continue to sleep (step 440). Accordingly, both thebaby 104 and theparents 126 are sleeping (step 412) and the method proceeds as described above. The method of monitoring a baby in accordance with present invention continues in this manner throughout the night until such time that theparents 126 wake-up the next morning to begin the next day. - The following U.S. patents are incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,049,968; 6,150,941; and 6,043,747.
- The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof; including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.
- The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
- Moreover though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
Claims (18)
1. A baby monitor system, comprising:
a baby unit configured to detect an audible sound and configured to transmit a signal representative of the detected audible sound via a communication link;
a parent unit configured to receive, via the communication link, the signal transmitted by the baby unit and configured to substantially reproduce the audible sound based on the received signal;
an actuator configured to activate a temporary muting function of the system for a determined period of time, the temporary muting function temporarily disabling the reproduction of the audible sound by the parent unit during the determined period of time;
a timer configured to time elapse of the determined period of time, wherein after an elapse of the determined time timed by the timer the temporary muting function is no longer activated, wherein actuating the actuator activates the temporary muting function and sets the timer to the predetermined time; and
wherein the determined period of time is one of a series of predetermined increases of time, wherein iterations of actuating the actuator cause sequential selection of the series of predetermined increases of time for the determined period of time.
2. The baby monitor system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a button disposed on the parent unit.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The baby monitor system of claim 1 , wherein the series of predetermined increases of time includes a maximum at an end of the series; and wherein an iteration of actuating the actuator after an iteration of the actuator that selects the maximum restarts the sequential selection of the series of predetermined increases of time at a start of the series.
6-9. (canceled)
10. A method of monitoring using a baby monitoring system, comprising:
detecting an audible sound at a baby unit of the baby monitoring system;
transmitting a signal representative of the detected audible sound;
receiving the transmitted signal at a parent unit of the baby monitoring system;
based on the transmitted signal, substantially reproducing the audible sound at the parent unit when a temporary muting function of the baby monitoring system is not activated;
activating the temporary muting function for a predetermined period of time in response to a user input received by the baby monitoring system, wherein the determined period of time is one of a series of predetermined increases of time sequentially selected by iterations of the received user input; and
outputting no sound at the parent unit when the temporary muting function is activated.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
enabling a timer when the temporary muting function is activated, wherein an elapsing of the timer causes the temporary muting function to be deactivated; and
displaying a time remaining before the elapsing of the timer.
12-17. (canceled)
18. A baby monitor system, comprising:
means for detecting an audible sound;
means for transmitting a signal representative of the detected audible sound;
means for receiving the transmitted signal remote from the means for detecting and the means for transmitting;
means for substantially reproducing the audible sound based on the received signal;
means for activating a temporary function of the system for a determined period of time, the temporary muting function temporarily disabling, during the determined period of time, reproduction of the audible sound by the means for substantially reproducing, wherein the determined period of time is one of a series of predetermined increases of time sequentially selected by iterations of the received user input.
19. The baby monitor system of claim 18 further comprising: means for timing a time interval that the temporary muting function remains activated, wherein after an expiration of the time interval the temporary muting function is no longer activated.
20. The baby monitor system of claim 18 , further comprising: means for providing output from the means for substantially reproducing when the temporary muting function is not activated.
21. The baby monitor system of claim 1 , wherein the temporary muting function temporarily disabling the reproduction of the audible sound by the parent unit during the determined period of time comprises disabling at least one of detection of the audible sound by the baby unit, transmitting of the signal by the baby unit, and receiving of the signal by the parent unit.
22. The baby monitor system of claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises a radio frequency communication link.
23. The baby monitor system of claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises a local area network.
24-26. (canceled)
27. The method of claim 10 , wherein the series of predetermined increases of time includes a maximum at an end of the series and an iteration of the received user input received after an iteration of the received user input that selects the maximum restarts the sequential selection of the series of predetermined increases of time at a start of the series.
28. The baby monitor system of claim 18 , wherein the series of predetermined increases of time includes a maximum at an end of the series and an iteration of the received user input received after an iteration of the received user input that selects the maximum restarts the sequential selection of the series of predetermined increases of time at a start of the series.
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US12/628,045 US20100148955A1 (en) | 2006-09-12 | 2009-11-30 | Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use |
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US11/531,275 US7629883B2 (en) | 2006-09-12 | 2006-09-12 | Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use |
US12/628,045 US20100148955A1 (en) | 2006-09-12 | 2009-11-30 | Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use |
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US11/531,275 Continuation US7629883B2 (en) | 2006-09-12 | 2006-09-12 | Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use |
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US12/628,045 Abandoned US20100148955A1 (en) | 2006-09-12 | 2009-11-30 | Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use |
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US20130099921A1 (en) * | 2009-12-30 | 2013-04-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Baby monitoring systems |
SE2050028A1 (en) * | 2020-01-15 | 2021-07-16 | Ikea Supply Ag | A baby alarm |
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US7629883B2 (en) * | 2006-09-12 | 2009-12-08 | Peter D. Noel | Baby monitor having a temporary mute function and method of use |
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US20130099921A1 (en) * | 2009-12-30 | 2013-04-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Baby monitoring systems |
US8564434B2 (en) * | 2009-12-30 | 2013-10-22 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Baby monitoring systems |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20080068155A1 (en) | 2008-03-20 |
US7629883B2 (en) | 2009-12-08 |
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