Prenatal-to-infant monitoring device

• US 6,766,145 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Gubitosi, Domenic Thomas, Brown, Bryan M., Fitzgerald, Karen, Weppner, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/984,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 600/453, 600/437, 600/28, 340/539, 340/573.1, 455/11.1, 455/67.11, 455/41.2
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function

Abstract

A child monitor system that combines the functionality of a prenatal monitor and a conventional nursery room monitor in a single device. The device comprising a local unit and a remote unit. Each unit having the capability of receiving and outputting acoustic audio signals as well as the capability of transmitting and receiving these signals to and from the units. The device also comprises a selection device for allowing a user to select from a plurality of operating modes.

Claims

1. A monitor system, comprising:

a remote unit having

a first audio input transducer for converting a first acoustic input into a first input signal;

a transmitter for transmitting said first input signal; and

a local unit having

a second audio input transducer for converting a second acoustic input into a second input signal,

conversion circuitry for converting said first input signal into a first output signal,

an output transducer for converting output signals to acoustic output,

a receiver for receiving said first input signal from said transmitter, and

a selector by which a user can selectively change operation of said local unit between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein

in said first operating mode, said first input signal is provided to said conversion circuitry for conversion to said first output signal, said first output signal is provided to said output transducer, and

in said second operating mode, said second input signal is provided to said conversion circuitry for conversion to a second output signal, said second output signal is provided to said output transducer.

2. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein said local unit further includes a memory in which said second input signal can be stored for subsequent output to said conversion circuitry.

3. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein

said transmitter is a first transmitter, said local unit further includes a second transmitter configured to transmit said second input signal;

said receiver is a first receiver, said remote unit further includes a second receiver configured to receive said second input signal, said conversion circuitry is first conversion circuitry, said remote unit further includes second conversion circuitry, said output transducer is a first output transducer, said remote unit further includes a second output transducer; and

said selector further configured to enable a selection of a third operating mode, in which said second input signal is provided to said second conversion circuitry for conversion to said second output signal, said second output signal being provided to said second output transducer.

4. A monitor system, comprising:

a local unit having

an audio input transducer for converting an acoustic input to an input signal,

first conversion circuitry for converting said input signal into a first output signal,

a first output transducer for converting said first output signal to a first acoustic output,

a transmitter for transmitting said input signal;

a remote unit having

a receiver for receiving said input signal,

second conversion circuitry for converting said input signal into a second output signal, and

a second output transducer for converting said second output signal into a second acoustic output; and

a selector coupled to said local unit by which a user can selectively change between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein;

in said first operating mode said input signal is provided to said first conversion circuitry for conversion to said first output signal, said first output signal is provided to said first output transducer, and

in said second operating mode said input signal is provided to said second conversion circuitry for conversion to said second output signal, which second output signal is provided to said second output transducer.

5. The monitor system of claim 4 wherein said local unit further includes a memory in which said input signals can be stored for subsequent output.

6. The monitor system of claim 4, wherein

said input transducer is a first input transducer, said acoustic input is a first acoustic input, said input signal is a first input signal, said remote unit further includes a second input transducer configured to convert a second acoustic input to a second input signal, and said transmitter is a first transmitter, said remote unit further includes a second transmitter configured to transmit said second input signal;

said receiver is a first receiver, said local unit further includes a second receiver configured to receive said second input signal; and

said selector further enables selection of a third operating mode in which said second input signal is provided to said second transmitter for transmission to said second receiver and then to said first conversion circuitry for conversion to a third output signal, said third output signal is provided to said first output transducer.

7. A monitor system, comprising:

a remote unit including

a first input configured to receive a first input signal,

a first transmitter configured to transmit said first input signal,

a first conversion circuitry,

a first receiver, and

a first output device; and

a local unit including

a second receiver configured to receive said first input signal,

a second input configured to receive a second input signal,

a second transmitter configured to transmit said second input signal,

a second conversion circuitry configured to convert said first input signal to a first output signal and said second input signal to a second output signal, and

a second output device configured to output said first output signal and said second output signal, said second conversion circuitry configured to receive the second input signal through said second receiver, and said second output device configured to output a third output signal associated with the second input signal, said monitor system being operable in a first mode, a second mode and a third mode, the first output signal being output by said second output device when said monitor system is in the first mode, the second output signal being output by said second output device when said monitor system is in the second mode, and the third output signal being output by said second output device when said monitor system is in the third mode.

8. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein said local unit further includes a memory configured to store at least one of said first input signal and said second input signal.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving via a first input transducer of a remote unit a first input;

transmitting the first input;

receiving via a receiver of a local unit the first input;

receiving via a second input transducer of the local unit a second input;

selectively outputting from an output transmitter of the local unit at least one of a first output associated with the first input and a second output associated with the second input;

storing at least one of the first input and the second input in a memory of the local unit; and

selectively recalling the stored at least one of the first input and the second input.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising outputting the second input from the remote unit.