U.S. patent application number 10/366913 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-14 for hanging mobile device with electronic display.
Invention is credited to DeJule, Aaron M..
Application Number | 20030153240 10/366913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27669311 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030153240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeJule, Aaron M. |
August 14, 2003 |
Hanging mobile device with electronic display
Abstract
A mobile having an electronic display is disclosed. The display
is preferably a thin, flexible display such as an organic light
emitting diode display. The display is coupled to a computing
device. The mobile optionally includes sound output, image output,
or video output. A camera or sensing device optionally service as
the input for a baby monitoring system. In one preferred
embodiment, the mobile is interactive, and can respond to various
sensed aspects, such as sound, light, or gestures via gesture
recognition.
Inventors: |
DeJule, Aaron M.; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr. Marc D. Machtinger, Esq.
Law Office of Marc D. Machtinger, Ltd.
Suite 350
750 W. Lake Cook Road
Buffalo Grove
IL
60089-2073
US
|
Family ID: |
27669311 |
Appl. No.: |
10/366913 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60356843 |
Feb 14, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 |
International
Class: |
A63H 033/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hanging mobile device comprising: an electronic display panel,
and a computing device for controlling at least one visual display
displayed on the electronic display panel.
2. The hanging mobile device according to claim 1, wherein said
electronic display panel is a thin display panel.
3. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, wherein the thin
display panel is an organic light emitting diode display panel.
4. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, further
comprising a sensor, wherein the visual display responds to input
of said sensor.
5. The hanging mobile device according to claim 4, further
comprising a microphone in said sensor, and the device further
comprising an audio recording device.
6. The hanging mobile device according to claim 4, wherein said
sensor communicates a signal to an external processor.
7. The hanging mobile device according to claim 6, wherein the
signal is communicated to a remote receiver, and wherein said
receiver has an audio or visual output.
8. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, wherein the
device includes a gesture recognition system and wherein the visual
changes images in response to detected gestures.
9. The hanging mobile device according to claim 8, wherein the
gesture recognition system detects a developmental stage of a child
and wherein the visual display changes images corresponding to the
developmental stage.
10. The hanging mobile device according to claim 8, wherein the
gesture recognition system transmits a signal via a communication
device upon detecting a predetermined occurrence.
11. The hanging mobile device according to claim 6, wherein said
gesture recognition system is adapted to detect a new gesture of an
infant, a sensor takes a still or video image upon detecting the
new gesture, and wherein the image is transmitted to an external
computing device and stored.
12. The hanging mobile device according to claim 3, wherein said
electronic display panel is in the shape of a rectangle.
13. The hanging mobile device according to claim 3, wherein said
electronic display is in the shape of a butterfly.
14. The hanging mobile device according to claim 3, wherein said
electronic display is cut into the shape of an animal.
15. The hanging mobile device according to claim 3, wherein said
electronic display is an irregular shape formed of a single
continuous panel.
16. The hanging mobile device according to claim 3, wherein said
electronic display is bent out of plane into a desired shape.
17. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, further
comprising an audio output device.
18. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, further
comprising a camera for taking photographs.
19. The hanging mobile device according to claim 18, wherein said
camera is adapted to take a consecutive series of photographs.
20. The hanging mobile device according to claim 18, wherein the
device contains a system for displaying at least one picture taken
by the camera on the display panel.
21. The hanging mobile device according to claim 18, wherein the
camera transmits an image to a computing device for storage.
22. The hanging mobile device according to claim 18, wherein the
camera transmits an image via a communication device.
23. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, wherein at
least one image can be programmed into the device or input into the
device via input media.
24. The hanging mobile device according to claim 23, wherein an
audio stream can be programmed into the device or input into the
device.
25. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, wherein said
computing device and the video display communicate via a wireless
connection.
26. The hanging mobile device according to claim 2, wherein said
device is a chandelier.
27. A method of providing a visual display on a hanging mobile
device comprising: displaying an image on an electronic display
panel, and controlling at least one visual display displayed on the
electronic display panel via a computing device.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the electronic
display panel is a thin display panel.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the electronic
display panel is an organic light emitting diode display panel.
30. The method according to claim 28, further comprising providing
a sensor, wherein the visual display responds to input of said
sensor.
31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising
communicating a signal to an external processor via said
sensor.
32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising providing
said sensor with a microphone, and further comprising providing
said device with an audio recording device.
33. The method according to claim 31, further comprising
communicating said signal to a remote receiver.
34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said receiver
comprises an audio or visual output.
35. The method according to claim 31, further comprising providing
a gesture recognition system and changing the visual display in
response to detected gestures.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the gesture
recognition system detects a developmental stage of a child and
wherein the visual display changes images corresponding to the
developmental stage.
37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the gesture
recognition system transmits a signal via a communication device
upon detecting a predetermined occurrence.
38. The method according to claim 35, wherein said gesture
recognition system is adapted to detect a new gesture of an infant,
a sensor takes a still or video image upon detecting the new
gesture, and wherein the image is transmitted to an external
computing device and stored.
39. The method according to claim 29, further comprising forming
the electronic display into the shape of an animal.
40. The method according to claim 29, further comprising forming
said electronic display into an irregular shape from a single
continuous panel.
41. The method according to claim 29, further comprising bending
said electronic display out of plane into a desired shape.
42. The method according to claim 28, further comprising providing
an audio output device on said device.
43. The method according to claim 28, further comprising providing
a camera for taking photographs.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein said camera is
adapted to take a consecutive series of photographs.
45. The method according to claim 43, further comprising providing
a system for displaying at least one picture taken by the
camera.
46. The method according to claim 43, further comprising
transmitting an image from the camera to a computing device for
storage.
47. The method according to claim 43, wherein the camera transmits
an image via a communication device.
48. The method according to claim 28, further comprising
programming at least one image into the device or inputting at
least one image into the device via input media.
49. The method according to claim 28, further comprising
programming an audio stream into the device or inputting an audio
stream into the device.
50. The hanging mobile device according to claim 28, wherein said
computing device and the video display communicate via a wireless
connection.
51. The hanging mobile device according to claim 28, wherein said
device is a chandelier.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/356,843, filed Feb. 14, 2002, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to hanging mobile devices, and
more specifically to hanging mobile devices having thin electronic
displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional hanging mobile devices, such as baby mobiles or
artistic mobiles have been used for many years for aesthetic and
entertainment purposes. Baby mobiles, in particular, are typically
formed of lightweight materials and hang above a baby's crib. Some
such mobiles have moving parts and images designed to hold the
attention of infants or young children.
[0004] Conventional mobiles are rather limited in that the images
on the visible portions of the mobiles are fixed, or limited. Thus,
they do not hold one's attention for prolonged periods of time, nor
do they adjust for development of an infant. Furthermore,
conventional mobiles have not enveloped the latest technology. For
example, conventional mobiles have not utilized computers, wireless
connection capabilities, sensors, cameras, audio output or thin
electronic displays.
[0005] A mobile that does not have a fixed image, but rather is
able to change images on its display must be of a material that is
lightweight and flexible in the interest of a child's safety.
Conventional displays would not likely work because they would be
heavy and could injure a child upon falling. Traditional LCD
panels, while capable of displaying a video display, would not be
safe for use on a mobile because they are too heavy. A number of
technologies maybe suitable for such displays, for example,
flexible LCD panels, particularly flexible reflective LCD panels,
thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) screens, or organic
electroluminescent image display devices such as those described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,269, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,380, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. Electronic displays
utilizing OLED technology would also allow for micro-thin
lightweight panels.
[0006] OLEDs consist of organic polymer and fluorescent dye layers
less than 0.2 microns thick, sandwiched between two electrodes, the
top one of which is transparent. When the polymer molecules are
excited, flicker-free light is emitted. Each pixel is composed of
three subpixels corresponding to red, green, and blue to form color
images. OLED technology is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.
5,482,896, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,269 referred to above. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,530,269 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,380 also disclose a
light emitting device comprising an organic light emitting diode
array, but they do not disclose a hanging mobile device having an
OLED display. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,611 discloses a method
of fabricating OLED matrices but does not disclose a hanging mobile
device having an OLED display.
[0007] Some conventional interactive toys are able to change
displays, but such toys are not hanging mobile devices and are
incapable of changing the image it displays independent of the
user's input. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,658 issued to Cohen,
discloses a computer play toy wherein the user provides an input
signal on a keyboard. A computer processor in turn, responds to
each signal by displaying on a display screen the next in a
succession of a group of audiovisual sequences. The toy is limited
to its pre-programmed visual sequences and is not capable of
independently adjusting to the user. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.
5,556,339 issued to Cohen discloses a computer toy for infants and
children wherein the child sequentially creates a picture on a
display screen by inputting a signal via a keyboard or other
device. The computer processor responds to the input by assisting
the child in sequentially developing a picture. The toy is also
incapable of changing the image it displays independent of the
user's input.
[0008] A mobile having a lightweight video display could have
images change based on movement by a subject, such as a baby,
independent of the user's input. This could significantly aid the
development of an infant. Conventional mobiles do not attempt to
aid with the development of an infant. Most newborns sleep 16-17
hours a day and are trying to deal with the amount of new
stimulation around them. Yet still vision is fuzzy for the baby,
and he only sees high-contrast shapes, light, and movement. At one
to two months, the baby learns to focus both eyes and perfects
object-tracing skills. Their first real smile appears along with a
growing preference for complex designs such as checkerboards and
spirals. Conventional mobiles cannot change their display images in
response to a baby's development.
[0009] Furthermore, babies have difficulty distinguishing similar
tones such as red and orange until about two months and continuing
through four months when color becomes more clear. The baby is able
to distinguish like shades, preferring bright primary colors and
more detailed and complicated shapes. At four months, the baby
begins to develop depth perceptions and better arm control,
grabbing and reaching as depth perception develops. Between four
and six months, he develops the ability to make some vocal sounds,
such as `ma-ma` or `da-da.` Conventional mobiles or toys have not
been able to adjust to the above developments in the mind of the
infant.
[0010] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a hanging
mobile device with a lightweight video display which would provide
a greater range of display and interactive capabilities.
SUMMARY
[0011] In view of the deficiencies described above, it is an object
of the present invention to provide a hanging mobile device having
a lightweight electronic display which would provide a greater
range of display and interactive capabilities.
[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hanging
mobile device having an electronic display capable of changing
images and adjusting to the development of an infant.
[0013] In accordance with the above objectives, the present
invention, in its broadest form, is a hanging mobile device having
an electronic display. By "hanging mobile device" it is meant any
device which is a mobile or a stationary hanging apparatus intended
for use over or near the bed or crib of a child or baby. The
electronic display is preferably a thin panel electronic display.
In a preferred embodiment, the hanging mobile device is a mobile,
but it is not necessary that the hanging mobile device move in
response to an air current, as with a standard mobile.
[0014] In one aspect of the invention, one or more electronic
panels are displayed on the mobile. The electronic panels are
controlled by a computing device. The panels can selectively
display still images, changing images, or video. The images can be
programmed into the device or input into the device via input
media.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, the mobile includes a
sensor which can detect noise, motion, or visual aspects of the
environment. The mobile changes its display in response to the
sensor input. Optionally, the mobile has an audio output in
addition to the images or video display. In one embodiment of the
invention, the mobile utilizes gesture recognition technology. In
this manner, the electronic displays can be interactive, responding
to various movements or noises made by the infant. The mobile is
preferably programmable such that it can enhance development of an
infant. Also, it can be customized to include selected images,
photographs, audio feeds, etc.
[0016] In another aspect of the invention, the sensor, or another
camera or sensing device, can serve as the input for a monitor,
such as a baby monitor, and can transmit a signal to a receiving
unit remote from the device. This would enable a parent, for
example, to monitor an infant to see if the infant needs food,
water, changing, or other medical care. In another embodiment of
the invention, the invention could be used to monitor a patient in
need of medical care.
[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing an electronic display panel
displaying an image.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention showing an electronic display panel
displaying an image.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet another preferred
embodiment of the present invention showing an electronic display
panel an image.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another preferred
embodiment of the present invention showing an electronic display
panel an image.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another preferred
embodiment of the present invention showing an electronic display
panel an image.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing a baby interacting with the hanging
mobile device.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention showing a baby interacting with the
hanging mobile device.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing different shapes of an electronic display
panel.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing a video display panel formed from a sheet of thin
electronic display material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0028] A hanging mobile device 10 having an electronic display
panel 20 and a computing device for controlling at least one visual
display displayed on an electronic display panel is disclosed.
Optionally, the device 10 may have more than one display panel 20.
By "hanging mobile device" 10 it is meant any device which is a
mobile or a stationary hanging apparatus intended for use over or
near the bed or crib of a child or baby. The device 10 is
preferably mounted above a baby's crib, although it could be
mounted in any location where an infant may be situated for any
significant period of time. The mounting may be a ceiling mount, a
wall mount, a mounting on a portion of a crib, or a mounting on a
stand which is disposed on the floor near a crib. The electronic
display panel 20 of the device 10 is preferably a thin panel
electronic display 30, such as an OLED (Organic Light Emitting
Display) display.
[0029] Organic LEDs consist of organic polymer and fluorescent dye
layers less than 0.2 microns thick, sandwiched between two
electrodes, the top one of which is transparent. When its polymer
molecules are excited, flicker-free light is emitted. Each pixel is
composed of three subpixels corresponding to red, green and blue to
form color images. Currently, resolutions are better than 200-dpi
and power consumption is lower than comparably sized LCDs. Its
light weight and ability to rewrite images on itself make OLED a
preferred choice for constructing the video display of this
invention. OLED technology is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.
5,482,896, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,269 referred to above. The
article entitled, "Semiconducting Polymers on Display," by Jennifer
Ouellette in the American Institute of Physics magazine, The
Industrial Physicist, June/July 2001 issue, hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety, also describes such technologies,
including reference to the present invention derived from this
inventor.
[0030] A number of other technologies that are lightweight and
capable of displaying an image may also be suitable for such
electronic displays, for example, flexible LCD panels, particularly
flexible reflective LCD panels, thin film electroluminescent (TFEL)
screens, organic electroluminescent image display devices such as
those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,269 which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety, and in U.S. Pat. No.
5,276,380 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0031] In another embodiment, the device 10 has a sensor 30,
wherein the visual display responds to input of the sensor. For
example, in one preferred embodiment, the device 10 comprises a
sensor 30 for sensing sound, movement, gestures, or other visual
aspects of the environment. The sensor 30 may cause the visual
display to change images or sounds, such as changing to an off mode
if the baby is sleeping. The sensor 30 communicates a signal to a
computing device or to a remote receiver. The receiver has an audio
or visual output. The sensor 30 optionally includes a microphone
and the computing device optionally includes a recording
device.
[0032] There is preferably a gesture recognition system wherein the
visual display changes images in response to detected gestures.
Gesture recognition technology can be utilized to sense and process
various movements of an infant. Thus, the display/audio can be
interactive and respond to an infant's movements or noises, or
other aspects of the environment such as daylight, motion elsewhere
in the room, time of day, etc. Recent developments in gesture
recognition systems are based on computer vision principles. Images
of the infant, for example, are taken by a charge coupled device
(CCD), and computer vision algorithms are used to isolate and
interpret the infant's movements in real time. The CCD has a camera
which preferably extends down the center of the mobile to detect
the infant's reactions. Any suitable sensor is contemplated,
including but not limited to, CCD cameras and capacitance or
proximity sensors which could be placed in a crib, for example.
[0033] The gesture recognition system optionally transmits a signal
via a communication device upon detecting a predetermined
occurrence. In this embodiment, the device 10 could be used to
monitor the safety of the child. For example, the device could
monitor if the baby is turning blue or choking and subsequently
send a signal to a communication device to contact an ambulance,
police, or a parent. Alternatively, the device 10 is capable of
changing visual images based on the attentiveness or
inattentiveness of an infant. For example, staring, smiling, and
cooing activates image rollovers of more complex black and white
images, thus maintaining the infant's interest. In yet another
embodiment, the gesture recognition system 50 is adapted to detect
a new gesture of an infant, and wherein the image is transmitted to
an external computing device and stored.
[0034] In yet another embodiment, the gesture recognition system
detects a developmental stage of a child and communicating with the
electronic display panel to change images corresponding to the
developmental stage of the child. The device 10 can be designed to
keep pace with a developing infant, particularly during the
critical periods of growth. The device preferably adapts as the
child grows, using gesture/speech recognition input and
visual/sound output. Thus, the device can be a great aid in the
development of an infant. For example, though a baby's hearing is
fully mature after the first month, sight development is gradual.
Over the first 6-8 months, initial fuzzy vision will reach a
clarity and depth perception of that of an adult. The device 10 can
be configured to output many possible shapes, patterns, and images
displayed at various stages of development, from black and white
stills to full-motion color video in response to the infant's
gestures. New shapes, colors and sounds influence gesture responses
to determine whether a child's visual development is ready to
proceed.
[0035] Optionally, the electronic display panel 20 of the device
10, and preferably an OLED material, are in the shape of a
rectangle or may be formed into the shape of an animal such as a
butterfly or dog. Alternatively, the electronic display panels 20
may be formed into an irregular shape and formed of a single
continuous panel 50. The electronic display panels 20 are
optionally bent out of plane into a desired shape.
[0036] In another embodiment, the device 10 has an audio output
device. In yet another embodiment, the device 10 has a camera which
preferably extends down the center of the mobile to take still
photographs of an infant. The photographic data may then be
displayed on the electronic display panel 20 or transmitted to a
computing device. In yet another embodiment, the camera may be
adapted to take a consecutive series of photographs of the baby or
child. For example, the device 10 could take pictures of the baby
at weekly intervals to record the growth of the baby over time. In
yet another embodiment, the device 10 contains a system for
displaying at least one picture taken by the camera. The camera is
capable of transmitting an image to a computing device for storage.
The camera is further capable of transmitting an image via a
communication device, such as through the internet. For example,
photos of a baby could be transmitted to a receiver via the
internet such as to a digital picture frame which can be updated,
or to an email address or website. Furthermore, video, audio, still
images, or any combination thereof could be transmitted over the
internet to receivers in any number of formats.
[0037] In yet another embodiment, the device 10 can display at
least one image can be programmed into the device 10 or input into
the device 10 via input media. A particular program may be selected
by a parent or user, and customized images, video, or audio
programs can be uploaded into the device. Data can be uploaded via
any suitable media for inputting data, including by not limited to
diskettes, CDs, DVD's, memory sticks, or any other suitable medium.
Alternatively, photographs, images, video, or audio streams of
people, such as an infant's parents or family members can be loaded
into the device 10 for display. In another preferred embodiment,
parents can select and download sound, images, and video to
customize the mobile to their child's particular likes. In yet
another embodiment, an audio stream may be programmed or input into
the device 10.
[0038] The mobile preferably includes the computing device within
the same unit as the display panels 20, however, the panels 20 may
be coupled to a remote computing device, either combined with a
mounting member, or elsewhere in the room, house, or even on a
network or at a remote location. The connection can be wired or
wireless. The wireless connection may be BLUE TOOTH technology,
infrared, or any other suitable wireless connection.
[0039] In yet another embodiment, the device 10 is a chandelier.
The device 10 may have lights included with the electronic display
panels 20. Alternatively, the electronic display panels 20 may be
used as a light panel for a room.
[0040] The present invention further encompasses, within its scope,
a method for providing a video display on a hanging mobile device
as described above.
[0041] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *