Infant simulator

• US 6,428,321 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1997
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1997
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Realityworks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Btio Educational Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Rybarczyk, Mary E., Pelkus, Adrian, Blackledge, Larry P., Jurmain, Mary M., Jurmain, Richard N., Oium, Sheila R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US08/986,835
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 434/262, 434/267, 434/268, 434/395, 434/247, 434/365, 434/366, 434/396, 446/301, 446/302, 446/299, 446/268, 446/295, 446/297, 446/304, 446/305, 446/484
• US Class Current: 434/238
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/24 Drinking dolls; Dolls producing tears; Wetting dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/36 Details; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

An infant simulator capable of emulating the care requirements of an infant and recording the quality of care and responsiveness of a person caring for the infant simulator and/or signaling the person caring for the infant simulator when care is required. The infant simulator is capable of (i) sensing the environmental conditions of position, temperature and compression to which the infant simulator is subjected, and (ii) periodically demanding that the care-provider change the diaper, rock the infant, feeding the infant, or burp the infant simulator. The infant simulator is also programmed with the ancillary features of providing positive feedback when the proper interaction is provided in a timely fashion, an escalating demand signal when the proper interaction is not provided in a timely fashion, an identification system requiring the assigned care-provider to be present in order to satisfy a demand event, an unsatisfiable fussy period, and multiple behavior modes (i.e., differences in the frequency of the demand events and/or the duration of the demand events).

Claims

1. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a diaper-change system within the doll for periodically effecting a diaper-change episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible soiled-diaper signal; and

(ii) a means in communication with the soiled-diaper signal generating means for arresting the soiled-diaper signal in response to receipt of a diaper-changed signal; and

(c) a diaper configured and arranged to be fitted over the lower torso of the doll as a diaper and having a means effective for transmitting the diaper-changed signal to the soiled-diaper signal arresting means when the diaper is fitted on the doll.

3. The infant simulator of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a diaper-change interval timer in communication with the soiled-diaper signal generating means for initiating generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals at intervals.

4. The infant simulator of claim 3 wherein the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals is a random variable occurring within a predetermined time range.

5. The infant simulator of claim 4 further comprising a means for adjusting the potential duration of the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals at the beginning of an assignment period, whereby the potential number of soiled-diaper signals generated by the diaper-change system during an assignment period is correspondingly increased or decreased.

6. The infant simulator of claim 5 wherein the diaper-change interval duration-adjustment means is effective for adjusting the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals to one of at least three time interval options of short duration, average duration and long duration, whereby the infant simulator can be programmed to simulate the relative care requirements of an easy infant, an average infant and a difficult infant.

7. The infant simulator of claim 4 wherein the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals is between a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 6 hours.

8. The infant simulator of claim 3 wherein the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals is a predetermined value.

9. The infant simulator of claim 8 further comprising a means for adjusting the duration of the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals at the beginning of an assignment period, whereby the number of soiled-diaper signals generated by the diaper-change system during an assignment period is correspondingly increased or decreased.

10. The infant simulator of claim 9 wherein the diaper-change time interval-duration adjustment means is effective for adjusting the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals to one of at least three time interval options of short duration, average duration and long duration, whereby the infant simulator can be programmed to simulate the relative care requirements of an easy infant, an average infant and a difficult infant.

11. The infant simulator of claim 3 wherein the time interval between the generation of sequential soiled-diaper signals is between 20 minutes and 6 hours.

12. The infant simulator of claim 1 further comprising a care-provider identification system within the doll, including at least (i) a means for receiving an identification signal from a user, and (ii) a means in communication with the identification-signal receiving means and the diaper-change system effective for preventing arresting of the soiled-diaper signal until the identification signal is received by the identification-signal receiving means.

13. The infant simulator of claim 12 wherein the identification-signal receiving means is selected from a voice recognition system or a fingerprint recognized system.

14. The infant simulator of claim 12 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a keyhole effective for transmitting the identification signal upon insertion of an identification key;

and the infant simulator further comprises an identification key effective for transmitting the identification signal when inserted into the keyhole, and a means for attaching the identification key to a selected care-provider capable of indicating detachment of the identification key from the selected care-provider.

15. The infant simulator of claim 1 further comprising a means effective for measuring and recording the duration of the diaper-change episode.

16. The infant simulator of claim 2 or 15 wherein the diaper-change episode measuring and recording means is effective for measuring and recording the sum total of the duration of all diaper-change episodes occurring within an assignment period.

17. The infant simulator of claim 2 or 15 wherein the diaper-change episode measuring and recording means is effective for measuring and separately recording the duration of each and every diaper-change episode occurring within an assignment period.

18. The infant simulator of claim 1 or 15 wherein (i) the infant simulator further includes at least two diapers, with each diaper equipped with a means effective for transmitting a different diaper-changed signal, and (ii) the means for arresting the soiled-diaper signal alternates between the different diaper-changed signals as the signal effective for arresting the soiled-diaper signal.

19. The infant simulator of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a means in communication with the soiled-diaper signal generating means for escalating the intensity of the soiled-diaper signal as the duration of the diaper-change episode increases.

20. The infant simulator of claim 19 wherein the soiled-diaper signal intensity-escalating means is effective for escalating the intensity of the soiled-diaper signal to at least two higher intensity soiled-diaper signals.

21. The infant simulator of claim 1 or 2 wherein the infant simulator has an approximate shape and weight of an infant.

22. The infant simulator of claim 1 or 2 further comprising an energy source retained within the doll for supplying the energy requirements of the simulator, and a means for indicating that the energy source has been accessed.

23. The infant simulator of claim 1 or 2 wherein the perceptible soiled-diaper signal is expressed as an audible cry.

2. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a diaper-change system within the doll for periodically effecting a diaper-change episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible soiled-diaper signal;

(ii) a means for receiving a diaper-changed signal; and

(iii) a means for measuring and recording the duration of the diaper-change episode measured from initial generation of the perceptible soiled-diaper signal to receipt of the diaper-changed signal by the diaper-changed signal receiving means; and

(c) a diaper configured and arranged to be fitted over the lower torso of the doll as a diaper and having a means effective for transmitting the diaper-changed signal to the diaper-changed signal receiving means when the diaper is fitted on the doll.

24. The infant simulator of claim 2 wherein the perceptible soiled-diaper signal is expressed as a wetted diaper.

25. The infant simulator of claim 2 further comprising a care-provider identification system within the doll, including at least (i) a means for receiving an identification signal wherein the identification signal is different from the satisfaction signal, and (ii) a means in communication with the identification-signal receiving means and the diaper-change system effective for preventing receipt of the diaper-changed signal by the diaper-changed signal receiving means such that the duration of the diaper-change episode continues to be measured even though the diaper-changed signal is being transmitted to the diaper-changed signal receiving means.

26. The infant simulator of claim 2 wherein (i) the infant simulator further includes at least two diapers, with each diaper equipped with a means effective for transmitting a different diaper-changed signal, and (ii) the diaper-changed signal receiving means alternates between the different diaper-changed signals as the signal capable of being received so as to end the diaper-change episode.

27. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a demand system within the doll for periodically effecting a demand episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible demand signal;

(ii) a means in communication with the demand signal generating means for inhibiting the demand signal so long as a satisfaction signal produced only by a single predefined type of physical interaction with the doll is continuously received;

(iii) a demand duration timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for terminating generation of the demand signal at the end of a demand period; and

(c) a feedback system within the doll for signaling a contented condition, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible contented signal;

(ii) a means for initiating generation of the contented signal in communication with both the demand system and the contented signal generating means, effective for initiating generation of the contented signal at the end of a demand period, provided the satisfaction signal is being received by the demand system at the end of the demand period;

(iii) whereby the contented signal denotes the end of the demand period and thereby indicates that the demand signal has been terminated and the satisfaction signal need no longer be continuously received by the satisfaction signal receiving means in order to prevent generation of the demand signal.

29. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 further comprising a means effective for transmitting the satisfaction signal to the demand signal arresting means when placed in communicative proximity to the doll.

30. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 further comprising a demand interval timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for initiating generation of the demand signal at intervals.

31. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 further comprising a care-provider identification system within the doll, including at least (i) a means for receiving an identification signal from a user, wherein the identification signal is different from the satisfaction signal, and (ii) a means in communication with the identification-signal receiving means and the demand system effective for preventing arresting of the demand signal until the identification signal is received by the identification-signal receiving means.

32. The infant simulator of claim 31 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a voice recognition system.

33. The infant simulator of claim 31 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a fingerprint recognition system.

34. The infant simulator of claim 31 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a keyhole effective for transmitting the identification signal upon insertion of an identification key.

35. The infant simulator of claim 34 further comprising an identification key effective for transmitting the identification signal when inserted into the keyhole, wherein the identification key includes a means for attaching the identification key to a selected care-provider and a means for indicating detachment of the identification key from the selected care-provider.

36. The infant simulator of claim 27 further comprising a means effective for measuring and recording the duration of the demand episode.

37. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 further comprising a means in communication with the demand signal generating means for escalating the intensity of the demand signal as the duration of the demand episode increases.

38. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 wherein the infant simulator has an approximate shape and weight of an infant.

39. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 further comprising an energy source retained within the doll for supplying the energy requirements of the infant simulator, and a means for indicating that the energy source has been accessed.

40. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 wherein the perceptible demand signal is expressed as an audible signal.

41. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 wherein the demand signal arresting means is only effective for inhibiting the demand signal in response to receipt of the satisfaction signal, and the infant simulator further comprises a demand duration timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for terminating generation of the demand signal at the end of a demand period.

42. The infant simulator of claim 41 wherein the duration of the demand period is a random variable lasting for a time period falling within a predetermined time range.

43. The infant simulator of claim 42 further comprising a means for adjusting the potential duration of the demand period at the beginning of an assignment period.

44. The infant simulator of claim 41 wherein the duration of the demand period is a predetermined value.

45. The infant simulator of claim 44 further comprising a means for adjusting the duration the demand period at the beginning of an assignment period.

46. The infant simulator of claim 41 further comprising a contented signal delay timer in communication with the demand duration timer and the contented signal initiating means for delaying commencement of generation of the contented signal for a gratification delay period after termination of the demand signal.

47. The infant simulator of claim 46 wherein the gratification delay period is a random variable falling within a predetermined time range.

48. The infant simulator of claim 46 wherein the gratification delay period is a predetermined value.

49. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 wherein the perceptible contented signal is expressed as a signal selected from the group consisting of an audible laugh, an audible cooing, an audible sigh, a smile, movement of appendages, and a combination thereof.

50. The infant simulator of claim 27 or 28 further comprising a contented signal delay timer in communication with the contented signal initiating means for delaying commencement of generation of the contented signal, after the satisfaction signal is received by the demand system, for a gratification delay period.

51. The infant simulator of claim 50 wherein the gratification delay period is a random variable falling within a predetermined time range.

52. The infant simulator of claim 51 wherein the gratification delay period is between a minimum of 0 to 2 minutes and a maximum of 5 to 20 minutes, with a statistical preference for a time interval between approximately 2 and approximately 5 minutes.

53. The infant simulator of claim 50 wherein the gratification delay period is a predetermined variable.

54. The infant simulator of claim 53 wherein the gratification delay period is between 0 and 10 minutes.

28. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a demand system within the doll for effecting a demand episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible demand signal;

(ii) a means for receiving a satisfaction signal and inhibiting the demand signal so long as the satisfaction signal is continuously received from a user;

(iii) a demand duration timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for terminating generation of the demand signal at the end of a demand period; and

(iv) a means for measuring and recording the duration of each demand episode measured from initial generation of the perceptible demand signal to receipt of the satisfaction signal by the satisfaction signal receiving means from a user; and

(c) a feedback system within the doll for signaling a contented condition, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible contented signal;

(ii) a means for initiating generation of the contented signal in communication with both the demand system and the contented signal generating means for initiating generation of the contented signal at the end of a demand period, provided the satisfaction signal is being received by the demand system at the end of the demand period; and

(iii) whereby the contented signal denotes the end of the demand period and thereby indicates that the demand signal has been terminated and the satisfaction signal need no longer be continuously received by the satisfaction signal receiving means in order to prevent generation of the demand signal.

55. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a demand system within the doll for effecting a demand episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible demand signal during the demand episode; and

(ii) a means in communication with the demand signal generating means for arresting the demand signal in response to receipt of a satisfaction signal provided by a user

(c) a means effective for transmitting the satisfaction signal to the demand signal arresting means when placed in communicative proximity to the doll; and

(d) a means in communication with the demand signal generating means for escalating the intensity of the demand signal as the duration of the demand episode increase, wherein the duration of the demand episode is measured from initial generation of the perceptible demand signal to receipt of the satisfaction signal by the satisfaction signal receiving means.

56. The infant simulator of claim 55 further comprising a care-provider identification system within the doll, including at least (i) a means for receiving an identification signal wherein the identification signal is different from the satisfaction signal from a user, and (ii) a means in communication with the identification-signal receiving means and the demand system effective for preventing arresting of the demand signal until the identification signal is received by the identification-signal receiving means.

57. The infant simulator of claim 56 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a voice recognition system.

58. The infant simulator of claim 56 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a fingerprint recognition system.

59. The infant simulator of claim 56 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a keyhole effective for transmitting the identification signal upon insertion of an identification key.

60. The infant simulator of claim 59 further comprising an identification key effective for transmitting the identification signal when inserted into the keyhole, wherein the identification key includes a means for attaching the identification key to a selected care-provider and a means for indicating detachment of the identification key from the selected care-provider.

61. The infant simulator of claim 55 further comprising a means effective for measuring and recording the duration of the demand episode.

62. The infant simulator of claim 58 further comprising a means effective for measuring and recording the sum total of the duration of all demand episodes occurring within an assignment period.

63. The infant simulator of claim 58 further comprising a means effective for measuring and separately recording the duration of each and every demand episode occurring within an assignment period.

64. The infant simulator of claim 58 wherein the infant simulator has an approximate shape and weight of an infant.

65. The infant simulator of claim 58 wherein the demand signal intensity-escalating means is effective for escalating the intensity of the demand signal to at least two higher intensity demand signals.

66. The infant simulator of claim 58 further comprising an energy source retained within the doll for supplying the energy requirements of the infant simulator, and a means for indicating that the energy source has been accessed.

67. The infant simulator of claim 58 wherein the demand signal arresting means is only effective for inhibiting the demand signal in response to receipt of the satisfaction signal, and the infant simulator further comprises a demand duration timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for terminating generation of the demand signal at the end of a demand period.

68. The infant simulator of claim 67 wherein the duration of the demand period is a random variable lasting for a time period falling within a predetermined time range.

69. The infant simulator of claim 68 further comprising a means for adjusting the potential duration of the demand period at the beginning of an assignment period.

70. The infant simulator of claim 67 wherein the duration of the demand period is a predetermined value.

71. The infant simulator of claim 70 further comprising a means for adjusting the duration the demand period at the beginning of an assignment period.

72. The infant simulator of claim 55 wherein the satisfaction signal transmitting means is a key.

73. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a demand system within the doll for effecting a demand episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible demand signal; and

(ii) a means in communication with the demand signal generating means for arresting the demand signal in response to receipt of a satisfaction signal from a user; and

(c) a care-provider identification system within the doll, including at least

(i) a means for receiving an identification signal from a user, wherein the identification signal is different from the satisfaction signal, and

(ii) a means in communication with the identification-signal receiving means and the demand system effective for preventing arresting of the demand signal, even though the satisfaction signal has been received by the satisfaction signal receiving means, until the identification signal is received by the identification-signal receiving means.

75. The infant simulator of claim 73 or 74 further comprising a demand interval timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for initiating generation of the demand signal at intervals.

76. The infant simulator of claim 73 or 74 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a voice recognition system.

77. The infant simulator of claim 73 or 74 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a fingerprint recognition system.

78. The infant simulator of claim 73 or 74 wherein the identification-signal receiving means comprises a keyhole effective for transmitting the identification signal upon insertion of an identification key.

79. The infant simulator of claim 78 further comprising an identification key effective for transmitting the identification signal when inserted into the keyhole, wherein the identification key includes a means for attaching the identification key to a selected care-provider and a means for indicating detachment of the identification key from the selected care-provider.

74. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a demand system within the doll for effecting a demand episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible demand signal;

(ii) a means for receiving a satisfaction signal from a user; and

(iii) a means for measuring and recording the duration of each demand episode measured from initial generation of the perceptible demand signal to receipt of the satisfaction signal by the satisfaction signal receiving means; and

(c) a care-provider identification system within the doll, including at least;

(i) a means for receiving an identification signal from a user, wherein the identification signal is different from the satisfaction signal, and

(ii) a means in communication with the identification-signal receiving means and the demand system effective for causing continued measuring of the duration of a demand episode, even though the satisfaction signal has been received by the satisfaction signal receiving means, unless the identification signal is received by the identification-signal receiving means after generation of the perceptible demand signal has been initiated.

80. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll; and

(b) a demand system within the doll for periodically effecting a demand episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating sequential perceptible demand signal;

(ii) a means in communication with the demand signal generating means for inhibiting the demand signal in response to receipt of a satisfaction signal from a user;

(iii) a demand interval timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for initiating generation of the demand signal at intervals;

(iv) a means in communication with the demand interval timer for adjusting the actual duration or statistically probable duration of the time interval between the generation of sequential demand signals;

(v) a demand duration timer in communication with the demand signal generating means for terminating generation of the demand signal at the end of a demand period;

(vi) a means in communication with the demand duration timer for adjusting the actual duration or statistically probable duration of the demand period; and

(vii) wherein adjustments in the duration of the time interval between the generation of sequential demand signals and the duration of the demand period are inversely related, such that an increase in one is accompanied by a decrease in the other.

81. The infant simulator of claim 80 wherein the demand interval duration-adjustment means is effective for adjusting the actual or potential time interval between the generation of sequential demand signals to one of at least three time interval options of short duration, average duration and long duration, whereby the infant simulator can be programmed to simulate the relative care requirements of an easy infant, an average infant and a difficult infant.

82. The infant simulator of claim 80 wherein the demand interval timer randomly generates sequential demand signals within a predetermined interval time range.

83. The infant simulator of claim 80 wherein the demand interval timer generates sequential demand signals on an fixed schedule selected from a plurality of fixed schedules.

84. The infant simulator of claim 80 wherein the demand period duration-adjustment means is effective for adjusting the demand period duration to one of at least three time period options of short duration, average duration and long duration, whereby the infant simulator can be programmed to simulate the relative care requirements of an easy infant, an average infant and a difficult infant.

85. The infant simulator of claim 80 wherein the demand period duration timer establishes the duration of a demand period as a random variable within a predetermined duration time range.

86. The infant simulator of claim 80 wherein the demand period duration timer establishes the duration of a demand period as a predetermined value.

87. An infant simulator, comprising:

(a) a doll;

(b) a diaper-change system within the doll for periodically effecting a diaper-change episode, including at least;

(i) a means for generating a perceptible soiled-diaper signal; and

(ii) a means in communication with the soiled-diaper signal generating means for arresting the soiled-diaper signal in response to receipt of a diaper-changed signal; and

(c) a diaper configured and arranged to be fitted over the lower torso of the doll as a diaper and having a means effective for transmitting the diaper-changed signal to the soiled-diaper signal arresting means when the diaper is fitted on the doll.