Baby monitor, system, and method and control of remote devices

• US 6,462,664 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Van Ee, Jan, Cuijpers, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/718,051
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/571, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 600/28, 455/412, 455/550, 455/568, 455/569, 381/94.1, 381/94.7
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 1/02 Remote control of amplification, tone or bandwidth combined with remote tuning or selection of resonant circuits H03J
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/32 the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level

Abstract

A baby monitor system incorporated into a receiver of the baby monitor circuitry that can remotely control an electric or electronic device when the output sound level of the receiver reaches a reference level. The control can be by infrared, radio frequency or hardwire transmission of a volume control command to the electric or electronic device. By incorporating this control system into the baby monitor, a parent is ensured to hear sounds of a baby.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

At least one communication means for performing at least the following operations;

receiving a first signal representing a localized medium strength; and

transmitting control signals to remote devices; and

at least one processor adapted to perform at least the following operations;

Comparing the first signal with a second signal representing an ambient medium strength; and

In response to a determination that the localized medium strength is less than the ambient medium strength, supplying a control indication to the communication means to cause transmission of a control signal to effect a change in the ambient medium strength.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the medium is sound.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control indication is a signal which causes a device, remote from the system, to reduce a volume output.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signal is adapted to control at least one of the remote devices to change an output of signals affecting the ambient medium strength.