Child leg monitoring system and method

• US 7,969,316 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Stumpf, Laurie Stumpf
• Original Assignee: John Stumpf, Laurie Stumpf
• Inventors: Stumpf, Laurie, Stumpf, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie
• Application Number:
  US12/284,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20090091459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 9/10 Perambulator bodies; Equipment therefor collapsible or foldable B62B7/06; convertible B62B7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A monitoring system for use with a leg hole device includes a sensor for monitoring a state of at least one leg of a child engaged with the leg hole device, a control system, and a user interface. A state of presence or absence of at least one leg may be monitored.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for use with a leg hole device, the monitoring system comprising a first sensor for monitoring a state of at least one leg of a child engaged with said leg hole device, a control system coupled with said first sensor and a user interface for configuring said monitoring system operably coupled with said control system wherein the state of the at least one leg is selected from the group consisting of the presence of said leg engaged with said leg hole device, and the absence of said leg engaged with said leg hole device.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said first sensor is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency sensors, active infrared sensors, passive infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, acoustic sensors, photoelectric sensors, fiberoptic sensors, electric field imaging sensors, ultrasonic transducers and optoelectronic sensors.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor coupled with said control system wherein said second sensor is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency sensors, active infrared sensors, passive infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, acoustic sensors, photoelectric sensors, fiberoptic sensors, electric field imaging sensors, ultrasonic transducers and optoelectronic sensors.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said control system is a passive control system.

5. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said control system is an interactive control system.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising means for presenting an indication of said state.

7. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein said indication is selected from the group consisting of audible indications, visual indications, vibratory indications, mechanical indications, electrical indications, radio-transmitted indications and remote indications.

8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said user interface is remote from said sensor and said control system.

9. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein said user interface comprises a housing, an RF transmitter/receiver, a power source, a control button and an indicator.

10. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising means for attaching said monitoring system to said leg hole device.

11. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said attaching means is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop fasteners, straps, tapes, threaded fasteners, springs, clamps and magnets.

12. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said monitoring system is integrally formed with at least a portion of said leg hole device.

13. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said monitoring system integrally formed with an accessory for said leg hole device.

14. A method for monitoring a child engaged with a leg hole device comprising activating a monitoring system, monitoring a state of at least one leg of said child and providing an indication of said state of said at least one leg of said child wherein the state of the at least one leg is selected from the group consisting of the presence of said leg engaged with said leg hole device, and the absence of said leg engaged with said leg hole device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said monitoring system is self-activating.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising engaging said monitoring system with said leg hole device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said monitoring system is integrally formed with an accessory for said leg hole device.

18. A monitoring system for use with a leg hole device, the monitoring system comprising an infrared sensor for monitoring a state of at least one leg of a child engaged with said leg hole device, a control system electrically coupled to said sensor and at least one control for configuring said monitoring system operably coupled with said control system.