Abstrict
A baby monitor system that includes a parent unit and a baby unit
that have a two-way radio frequency communications link established
therebetween. The baby monitor system also includes a message storage
mechanism that allows a care giver to record a soothing message
for playback to the baby in response to activation of a play switch.
Use of the recorded message allows the care giver to provide the
baby with a soothing message even when the care giver is in an ambient
noise environment, such as a shower, that could startle are irritate
the baby.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A baby monitor system comprising:
a parent unit; and
a baby unit;
said parent unit including:
a waterproof parent unit housing having a snap closure microphone
cover and a waterproof speaker grating;
a parent unit central processing circuit positioned within said
waterproof parent unit housing that includes a radio frequency transmitter
and receiver circuit including a parent unit antenna, an analog
to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital message memory,
a digital to analog converter and a speaker drive circuit;
a parent unit microphone in electrical connection with said parent
unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof volume control switch in electrical connection with
said parent unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof message record switch in electrical connection with
said parent unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof message playback switch in electrical connection with
said parent unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof direct talk switch in electrical connection with said
parent unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof on/off switch in electrical connection with said parent
unit central processing circuit; and
a parent unit speaker in electrical connection with
said parent unit central processing circuit; said baby unit including:
a baby unit housing including a baby unit speaker grating and a
baby unit microphone grating;
a baby unit central processing circuit including a radio frequency
transmitter and receiver circuit including a baby unit antenna,
an analog to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital
to analog converter and a speaker drive circuit;
a baby unit microphone in electrical connection with said baby
unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit volume control switch in electrical connection with
said baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit on/off switch in electrical connection with said baby
unit central processing circuit; and
a baby unit speaker in electrical connection with said baby unit
central processing circuit;
said parent unit central processing circuit and said baby unit
central processing circuit having a two way radio frequency communication
link established therebetween;
said parent unit central processing circuit being responsive to
said waterproof message record switch in a manner to digitize a
parent unit microphone signal from said parent unit microphone and
store said digitized parent unit microphone signal in said digital
message memory;
said parent unit central processing circuit being responsive to
said waterproof message playback switch in a manner to transmit
a radio frequency signal corresponding to said digitized parent
unit microphone signal in said digital message memory to said baby
unit central processing circuit for playback on said a baby unit
speaker;
said parent unit central processing circuit being responsive to
said waterproof direct talk switch in a manner to transmit a radio
frequency signal corresponding to said parent unit microphone signal
to said baby unit central processing circuit for playback on said
a baby unit speaker.
2. The baby monitor system of claim 1, wherein:
said baby unit includes a U-shaped support handle.
3. The baby monitor system of claim 1, wherein:
said parent unit includes a U-shaped support handle.
4. The baby monitor system of claim 1 wherein:
said waterproof parent unit housing is of molded elastic construction.
5. The baby monitor system of claim 1 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
6. The baby monitor system of claim 2, wherein:
said parent unit includes a U-shaped support, handle.
7. The baby monitor system of claim 2 wherein:
said waterproof parent unit housing is of molded plastic construction.
8. The baby monitor system of claim 2 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
9. The baby monitor system of claim 6 wherein:
said waterproof parent unit housing is of molded plastic construction.
10. The baby monitor system of claim 6 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
11. The baby monitor system of claim 9, wherein:
said parent unit includes a U-shaped support handle.
12. The baby monitor system of claim 7 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
13. The baby monitor system of claim 3 wherein:
said waterproof parent unit housing is of molded plastic construction.
14. The baby monitor system of claim 3 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
15. The baby monitor system of claim 13 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
16. The baby monitor system of claim 4 wherein:
said waterproof message record switch is a momentary contact switch;
said waterproof message playback switch is a momentary contact
switch; and
said waterproof direct talk switch is a momentary contact switch.
Description TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to baby monitors and more particularly
to a baby monitoring system that includes a parent unit and a baby
unit that have a two-way radio frequency communications link established
therebetween and a message storage mechanism that allows a care
giver to record a soothing message for playback to the baby in response
to activation of a play switch; the parent unit including a waterproof
parent unit housing having a snap closure microphone cover and a
waterproof speaker grating; a parent unit central processing circuit
positioned within the waterproof parent unit housing that includes
a radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuit, an analog to
digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital message memory,
a digital to analog converter and a speaker drive circuit; a parent
unit microphone in electrical connection with the parent unit central
processing circuit; a waterproof volume control switch in electrical
connection with the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof
message record switch in electrical connection with the parent unit
central processing circuit; a waterproof message playback switch
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; a waterproof direct talk switch in electrical connection
with the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof on/off
switch in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; a parent unit antenna in electrical connection with the
parent unit central processing circuit; and a parent unit speaker
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; the baby unit including a baby unit housing including a
baby unit speaker grating and a baby unit microphone grating; a
baby unit central processing circuit including a radio frequency
transmitter and receiver circuit, an analog to digital microphone
amplification circuit, a digital to analog converter and a speaker
drive circuit; a baby unit microphone in electrical connection with
the baby unit central processing circuit; a baby unit volume control
switch in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing
circuit; a baby unit on/off switch in electrical connection with
the baby unit central processing circuit; a baby unit antenna in
electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
and a baby unit speaker in electrical connection with the baby unit
central processing circuit; the parent unit central processing circuit
and the baby unit central processing circuit having a two way radio
frequency communication link established therebetween; the parent
unit central processing circuit being responsive to the waterproof
message record switch in a manner to digitize a parent unit microphone
signal from the parent unit microphone and store the digitized parent
unit microphone signal in the digital message memory; the parent
unit central processing circuit being responsive to the waterproof
message playback switch in a manner to transmit a radio frequency
signal corresponding to the digitized parent unit microphone signal
in the digital message memory to the baby unit central processing
circuit for playback on the baby unit speaker; the parent unit central
processing circuit being responsive to the waterproof direct talk
switch in a manner to transmit a radio frequency signal corresponding
to the parent unit microphone signal to the baby unit central processing
circuit for playback on the baby unit speaker.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is important for a care giver to monitor small infants and babies
as closely as possible. Although it would be ideal to monitor the
infant or baby constantly, it is difficult for a single care giver
to accomplish such intensive monitoring without the assistance of
specialized monitoring equipment. Although such specialized monitoring
equipment can provide a care giver with information regarding the
infant or baby's condition, the monitoring equipment typically does
not provide the care giver with a means for comforting the child
with a soothing message. It would be a particular benefit to care
givers to have a baby monitor system that included a message storage
mechanism that allowed the care giver to transmit a prerecorded
soothing message to the infant or child when the care giver is in
an environment, such as the shower, where ambient noises would tend
to startle and disturb the infant or child. Because the care giver
must shower or bath, it would also be a benefit to have a baby monitoring
system that included a parent unit having a waterproof housing to
allow the care giver to shower normally without having to forego
use of the baby monitor system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a baby monitor
system.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a baby monitor
system that includes a message storage mechanism.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a baby
monitor system that includes a parent unit having a waterproof housing.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a baby
monitor system hat includes a parent unit and a baby unit that have
a two-way radio frequency communications link established therebetween;
the parent unit including a waterproof parent unit housing having
a snap closure microphone cover and a waterproof speaker grating;
a parent unit central processing circuit positioned within the waterproof
parent unit housing that includes a radio frequency transmitter
and receiver circuit, an analog to digital microphone amplification
circuit, a digital message memory, a digital to analog converter
and a speaker drive circuit; a parent unit microphone in electrical
connection with the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof
volume control switch in electrical connection with the parent unit
central processing circuit; a waterproof message record switch in
electrical connection with the parent unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof message playback switch in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof direct
talk switch in electrical connection with the parent unit central
processing circuit; a waterproof on/off switch in electrical connection
with the parent unit central processing circuit; a parent unit antenna
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; and a parent unit speaker in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the baby unit including
a baby unit housing including a baby unit speaker grating and a
baby unit microphone grating; a baby unit central processing circuit
including a radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuit, an
analog to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital to
analog converter and a speaker drive circuit; a baby unit microphone
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit volume control switch in electrical connection with
the baby unit central processing circuit; a baby unit on/off switch
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit antenna in electrical connection with the baby unit
central processing circuit; and a baby unit speaker in electrical
connection with the baby unit central processing circuit; the parent
unit central processing circuit and the baby unit central processing
circuit having a two way radio frequency communication link established
therebetween; the parent unit central processing circuit being responsive
to the waterproof message record switch in a manner to digitize
a parent unit microphone signal from the parent unit microphone
and store the digitized parent unit microphone signal in the digital
message memory; the parent unit central processing circuit being
responsive to the waterproof message playback switch in a manner
to transmit a radio frequency signal corresponding to the digitized
parent unit microphone signal in the digital message memory to the
baby unit central processing circuit for playback on the baby unit
speaker; the parent unit central processing circuit being responsive
to the waterproof direct talk switch in a manner to transmit a radio
frequency signal corresponding to the parent unit microphone signal
to the baby unit central processing circuit for playback on the
baby unit speaker.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a baby
monitor system that accomplishes some or all of the above objects
in combination.
Accordingly, a baby monitor system is provided. The baby monitor
system includes a parent unit and a baby unit that have a two-way
radio frequency communications link established therebetween; the
parent unit including a waterproof parent unit housing having a
snap closure microphone cover and a waterproof speaker grating;
a parent unit central processing circuit positioned within the waterproof
parent unit housing that includes a radio frequency transmitter
and receiver circuit, an analog to digital microphone amplification
circuit, a digital message memory, a digital to analog converter
and a speaker drive circuit; a parent unit microphone in electrical
connection with the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof
volume control switch in electrical connection with the parent unit
central processing circuit; a waterproof message record switch in
electrical connection with the parent unit central processing circuit;
a waterproof message playback switch in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof direct
talk switch in electrical connection with the parent unit central
processing circuit; a waterproof on/off switch in electrical connection
with the parent unit central processing circuit; a parent unit antenna
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; and a parent unit speaker in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the baby unit including
a baby unit housing including a baby unit speaker grating and a
baby unit microphone grating; a baby unit central processing circuit
including a radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuit, an
analog to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital to
analog converter and a speaker drive circuit; a baby unit microphone
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit volume control switch in electrical connection with
the baby unit central processing circuit; a baby unit on/off switch
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit antenna in electrical connection with the baby unit
central processing circuit; and a baby unit speaker in electrical
connection with the baby unit central processing circuit; the parent
unit central processing circuit and the baby unit central processing
circuit having a two way radio frequency communication link established
therebetween; the parent unit central processing circuit being responsive
to the waterproof message record switch in a manner to digitize
a parent unit microphone signal from the parent unit microphone
and store the digitized parent unit microphone signal in the digital
message memory; the parent unit central processing circuit being
responsive to the waterproof message playback switch in a manner
to transmit a radio frequency signal corresponding to the digitized
parent unit microphone signal in the digital message memory to the
baby unit central processing circuit for playback on the baby unit
speaker; the parent unit central processing circuit being responsive
to the waterproof direct talk switch in a manner to transmit a radio
frequency signal corresponding to the parent unit microphone signal
to the baby unit central processing circuit for playback on the
baby unit speaker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the
parent unit of the baby monitor system of the present invention
showing the waterproof parent unit housing including the support
handle, the snap closure microphone cover positioned in the open
position, the parent unit microphone, the waterproof speaker grating,
the screw fastened waterproof battery compartment cover, the waterproof
on/off switch, the waterproof volume control switch, the waterproof
message record switch, the waterproof message playback switch, and
the waterproof direct talk switch.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary parent unit of FIG.
1 with the snap closure microphone cover in the closed position
providing a watertight seal over the parent unit microphone.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the
parent unit of FIG. 1 showing the parent unit central processing
circuit including a radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuit,
an analog to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital
message memory, a digital to analog converter and a speaker drive
circuit; the parent unit microphone in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the waterproof, momentary
contact type, volume control switch in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the waterproof, momentary
contact type, message record switch in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the waterproof, momentary
contact type, message playback switch in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the waterproof, momentary
contact type, direct talk switch in electrical connection with the
parent unit central processing circuit; the waterproof on/off switch
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; the parent unit antenna in electrical connection with he
parent unit central processing circuit; and the parent unit speaker
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the
baby unit of the baby monitor system of the present invention showing
the molded plastic baby unit housing including the support handle,
the baby unit speaker grating, the baby unit microphone grating,
the screw fastened battery compartment cover, the baby unit volume
control switch, and the baby unit on/off switch.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the
baby unit of FIG. 4 showing the baby unit central processing circuit
including a radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuit, an
analog to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital to
analog converter and a speaker drive circuit; the baby unit microphone
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
the baby unit volume control switch in electrical connection with
the baby unit central processing circuit; the baby unit on/off switch
in electrical connection with baby unit central processing circuit;
the baby unit antenna in electrical connection with the baby unit
central processing circuit; and the baby unit speaker in electrical
connection with the baby unit central processing circuit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the parent unit of the
baby monitor system of the present invention generally designated
by the numeral 10. In this embodiment, parent unit it includes a
waterproof, molded plastic, parent unit housing, generally designated
12; that includes a U-shaped support handle 14, a flexible snap
closure microphone over 16, a waterproof speaker grating 18, a microphone
grating 18 and a screw fastened waterproof battery compartment cover
22; a momentary contact, waterproof on/off switch 24; a momentary
contact, waterproof volume control switch 26; a momentary contact,
waterproof message record switch 28; a momentary contact, waterproof
message playback switch 30; a momentary contact, waterproof direct
talk switch 32; with reference now to FIG. 3, a parent unit microphone
34; a parent unit central processing circuit 36; a parent unit antenna
38; and a parent unit speaker 40. With reference back to FIG. 1,
parent unit speaker 40 is mounted within parent unit housing 12
and behind waterproof speaker grating 18. Parent unit microphone
34 is mounted within parent unit housing 12 and behind microphone
grating 18. With reference to FIG. 2, flexible snap closure microphone
cover 16 snaps over microphone grating 18 (FIG. 1) to seal microphone
grating 18 and prevent moisture and water from damaging parent unit
microphone 40 (FIG. 3) when parent unit 10 is used in the shower,
bath or other wet environment.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary baby unit of the baby monitor system
of the present invention generally designated by the numeral 46.
Baby unit 46 includes a molded plastic baby unit housing 48 having
a U-shaped support handle 50, a baby unit speaker grating 52, a
baby unit microphone grating 54, a screw fastened battery compartment
cover 56, a baby unit volume control switch 58, a baby unit on/off
switch 60, with reference now to FIG. 5, a baby unit central processing
circuit 62, a baby unit microphone 64, a baby unit antenna 66, and
a baby unit speaker 68.
With general reference to FIGS. 1-5, parent unit and baby unit
central processing circuits 36,62 each include a conventional radio
frequency transmitter and receiver circuit, a conventional analog
to digital microphone amplification circuit, a conventional digital
to analog converter and a conventional speaker drive circuit. The
radio frequency transmitter and receiver circuits of the parent
unit and baby unit central processing circuits 36, 62 are complementarily
tuned to establish a two way radio frequency communications link
between parent unit 10 and baby unit 46.
In use baby unit 46 is used to monitor the sounds within the baby's
environment and transmit those sounds for reproduction on parent
unit speaker 40 of parent unit 10. If the care giver detects distress
type sounds or wishes to soothe the baby, the care giver can establish
a direct talk link with baby unit 46 by depressing talk switch 32
while talking into parent unit microphone 34. If the care giver
is showering or in an otherwise noise intensive environment, the
care giver can transmit a prerecorded soothing message to the baby
by depressing play switch 28. The prerecorded message is recorded
by depressing record switch 28 and speaking into parent unit microphone
34.
It can be seen from the preceding description that a baby monitor
system has been provided that includes a message storage mechanism;
that includes a parent unit having a waterproof housing; and that
includes a parent unit and a baby unit that have a two-way radio
frequency communications link established therebetween; the parent
unit including a waterproof parent unit housing having a snap closure
microphone cover and a waterproof speaker grating; a parent unit
central processing circuit positioned within the waterproof parent
unit housing that includes a radio frequency transmitter and receiver
circuit, an analog to digital microphone amplification circuit,
a digital message memory, a digital to analog converter and a speaker
drive circuit; a parent unit microphone in electrical connection
with the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof volume
control switch in electrical connection with the parent unit central
processing circuit; a waterproof message record switch in electrical
connection with the parent unit central processing circuit; a waterproof
message playback switch in electrical connection with the parent
unit central processing circuit; a waterproof direct talk switch
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; a waterproof on/off switch in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; a parent unit antenna
in electrical connection with the parent unit central processing
circuit; and a parent unit speaker in electrical connection with
the parent unit central processing circuit; the baby unit including
a baby unit housing including a baby unit speaker grating and a
baby unit microphone grating; a baby unit central processing circuit
including a radio Frequency transmitter and receiver circuit, an
analog to digital microphone amplification circuit, a digital to
analog converter and a speaker drive circuit; a baby unit microphone
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit volume control switch in electrical connection with
the baby unit central processing circuit; a baby unit on/off switch
in electrical connection with the baby unit central processing circuit;
a baby unit antenna electrical connection with the baby unit central
processing circuit; and a baby unit speaker in electrical connection
with the baby unit central processing circuit; the parent unit central
processing circuit and the baby unit central processing circuit
having a two way radio frequency communication link established
therebetween; the parent unit central processing circuit being responsive
to the waterproof message record switch in a manner to digitize
a parent unit microphone signal from the parent unit microphone
and store the digitized parent unit microphone signal in the digital
message memory; the parent unit central processing circuit being
responsive to the waterproof message playback switch in a manner
to transmit a radio frequency signal corresponding to the digitized
parent unit microphone signal in the digital message memory to the
baby unit central processing circuit for playback on the baby unit
speaker; the parent unit central processing circuit being responsive
to the waterproof direct talk switch in a manner to transmit a radio
frequency signal corresponding to the parent unit microphone signal
to the baby unit central processing circuit for playback on the
baby unit speaker.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a baby
monitor system that accomplishes some or all of the above objects
in combination.
It is noted that the embodiment of the baby monitor system described
herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to
many different variations in structure, design, application and
methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may
be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught,
and because many modifications nay be made in the embodiment herein
detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the
law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted
as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. |