Intelligent interactive baby calmer using modern phone technology

• US 20060071784A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Frank, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 7,274,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2491 Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for a wireless device to monitor a local vicinity of the wireless device is provided. The wireless device may monitor for an environmental parameter in the local vicinity of the wireless device. In response to an indication that the monitored for environmental parameter is detected, the wireless s device may provide notification of the detection.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless device, comprising:

activating operation of the wireless device to monitor for at least one environmental parameter in a vicinity of the wireless device;

detecting the at least one environmental parameter; and

activating, in response to the detection, operation of the wireless device to provide an action by the wireless device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental parameter is at least one of a sound, a movement, or a combination of the sound and the movement.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the disabling is in response to or concomitant with the activating operation of the wireless device to monitor.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the action provided is at least one of providing:

a sound through a speaker of the wireless device, a graphical presentation on a display of the wireless device, a vibration of the wireless device, or a combination thereof.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising operation of the wireless device to provide notification of the detection.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of:

originating a call, sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message, sending a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, sending a electronic mail message, or a combination thereof.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically disabling a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device.

8. A method of claim 7, further comprising enabling operation of the radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device to facilitate operation of the wireless device to provide a notification of the detection.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring occurs at a predetermined interval of time for a predetermined period of time.

10. A method of operating a wireless device, comprising:

activating operation of the wireless device to monitor for at least one environmental parameter in a vicinity of the wireless device;

automatically disabling a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device;

detecting the at least one environmental parameter;

activating, in response to the detection, operation of the wireless device to provide an action by the wireless device; and

operating the wireless device to provide a notification of the detection.

11. A method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one environmental parameter is at least one of a sound, a movement, or a combination of the sound and the movement.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the disabling is in response to or concomitant with the activating operation of the wireless device to monitor.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the action provided is at least one of providing:

a tone through a speaker of the wireless device, a graphical presentation on a display of the wireless device, a vibration of the wireless device, or a combination thereof.

14. A method of claim 10, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of:

originating a call, sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message, sending a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, sending a electronic mail message, or a combination thereof.

15. A method of claim 10, further comprising enabling operation of the radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver functionality of the wireless device to facilitate the notification.

16. A wireless device comprising:

a processor;

a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver, operatively coupled to the processor, for receiving and transmitting information;

a speaker operatively coupled to the processor;

a microphone operatively coupled to the processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor and storing software to control the processor to;

activate operation of the wireless device to monitor for at least one of a sound, motion, or combination thereof in a vicinity of the wireless device;

automatically disable the functionality of the radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver;

determine a detection of the at least one environmental parameter; and

activate, in response to the determination, operation of the wireless device to provide an action by the wireless device.

17. A wireless device telephone according to claim 16, further comprising a vibration device that, as part of the action provided by the wireless device, operates to vibrate the wireless device.

18. A wireless device according to claim 16, further comprising a softkey selectively associated with an initiation of the activation operation of the wireless device to monitor.

19. A wireless device according to claim 16, wherein the memory further comprises software to control the processor to operate the wireless device to provide notification of the detection remotely from the wireless device.

20. A wireless device according to claim 19, wherein the notification is provided by at least one of:

originating a call, sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message, sending a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, sending a electronic mail message, or a combination thereof.