U.S. patent application number 11/203570 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for child calming toy with rythmic stimulation.
Invention is credited to Min J. Lee.
Application Number | 20070037474 11/203570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37743117 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070037474 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Min J. |
February 15, 2007 |
Child calming toy with rythmic stimulation
Abstract
An improved child calming device comprising, in accordance with
the preferred embodiment, a stuffed animal (10) having a pocket
(88) within which is contained a heart beat simulating transducer
(12) is disclosed. The transducer is actuated, in a number of
optional ways, by application of pressure to an actuator (22) which
is coupled to a switch (30) which drives an electronic circuit (40)
contained within the housing (14) of the simulator (12). The number
and power of the "simulated" heart beats may be controlled by
selective actuation of the actuator.
Inventors: |
Lee; Min J.; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROGER PITT;KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART NICHOLSON GRAHAM LLP
599 LEXINGTON AVENUE
33RD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10022-6030
US
|
Family ID: |
37743117 |
Appl. No.: |
11/203570 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/02 20130101; A63H
3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/297 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/28 20060101
A63H003/28 |
Claims
1. A child pacifying doll, comprising: (a) a skin defining a doll
body; (b) stuffing disposed in said skin, and filling said skin
into a soft doll body form and defining an internal volume within
said doll body; (c) a vibration coupling element having a mass,
said vibration coupling element disposed in said internal volume;
(d) an electromagnetic inertial pulsating device, said
electromagnetic inertial pulsating device comprising a vibrating
mass, said vibrating mass being coupled resiliently to the mass of
the vibration coupling element; (e) a pulse producing circuit for
producing electrical pulses, said electrical pulses being coupled
to said electromagnetic inertial pulsating device, said vibrating
mass pulsating in response to said electrical pulses to produce
movements in said vibration coupling element which comprise
simulated heartbeats; and f) a control circuit having a control
signal output for controlling said pulse producing circuit, said
control circuit being responsive to a user input to cause said
pulse producing circuit i) to produce electrical pulses during an
active period, or ii) to produce a limited number of pulses.
2. A child pacifying device, comprising: (a) a surface member
defining a device body; (b) a pocket defining member secured to
said surface member, said pocket defining member defining an
internal volume; (c) a vibration coupling element having a mass,
disposed in said internal volume; (d) an electromechanical inertial
pulsating device, said electromechanical inertial pulsating device
comprising a vibrating mass, said vibrating mass being coupled
resiliently to the mass of the vibration coupling element; (e) a
pulse producing circuit for producing electrical pulses, said
electrical pulses being coupled to said electromechanical inertial
pulsating device, said vibrating mass pulsating in response to said
electrical pulses to produce movements which comprise simulated
heartbeats; and f) a control circuit having a control signal output
for controlling said pulse producing circuit, said control circuit
being responsive to a user input to cause said pulse producing
circuit to produce electrical pulses during an active period
following activation of said pulse producing circuit even if said
actuation has been terminated, and then to cease producing
pulses.
3. A child pacifying device as in claim 2, wherein said pulses may
be produced during an active period of time of selectabel
duration.
4. A child pacifying device as in claim 2, wherein said number of
pulses comprises a selectable number of simulated heartbeats.
5. A child pacifying device as in claim 2, wherein said control
circuit comprises a switch, said switch being activatable by said
user; said switch being coupled to a time sensing circuit to
generate said control signal output, said control signal output
varying as a function of the time that said switch is actuated,
different values of said control signal output causing said pulse
producing circuit to produce an indication of the length of the
entire period.
6. A child pacifying device as in claim 5, wherein said switch is
located on a support member secured to said vibrator element and
said control circuit causes said control circuit to emit a control
signal output triggering said electromechanical inertial pulsating
device to simulate a number of heartbeats proportional to the time
that said switch is activated.
7. A child pacifying device as in claim 2, further comprising a
switch for activating said electromechanical inertial pulsating
device, said switch being located on a support member secured to
said vibrator element.
8. A child pacifying device as in claim 5, wherein said indication
is an audio recording.
9. A child pacifying device as in claim 7, wherein said vibration
coupling element is a casing and said electromechanical device is
disposed within said casing.
10. A device as in claim 1 wherein said device is a plush stuffed
doll and said volume communicates with the ambient through a port
defined by the surface member and further comprising a closure
secured around said port for closing said volume.
11. A device as in claim 7 wherein said switch actuates said
pulsating device in response to the application of an object to the
outer surface of said doll body.
12. A device as in claim 11 wherein said skin has an inside surface
and said switch comprises a push button which extends from said
pulsating device and bears against said inside surface of said
skin.
13. A device as in claim 7 wherein said electromechanical device
comprises an electronic driver which is turned on and off by said
switch which is positioned to be actuated upon application of
hugging pressure around said doll body.
14. A device as in claim 2, wherein said switch comprises a push
button switch positioned to be actuated upon hugging of the doll
body and wherein said push-button switch actuates an electronic
driver which drives said electromechanical device and wherein said
electronic driver outputs a series of electrical pulses.
15. A device as in claim 8 wherein said pulses alternate between
pulses of relatively high frequency content and relatively low
frequency content.
16. A device as in claim 2, wherein said pulsating device is
actuated by electrical pulses and further comprising a control to
vary the amplitude of said electrical pulses.
17. A device as in claim 2, wherein said electromechanical device
comprises a resilient member securing said vibration coupling
element to said vibrating mass and an electromagnet for displacing
two ends of said member with respect to each other to extreme
relatively close positions relative to each other where the two
ends are still spaced apart from each other whereby displacement
occurs without impact.
18. A device as in claim 2, wherein said electromechanical device
moves said vibrating mass from a point proximate but not contacting
said electromechanical device.
19. A doll is in claim 2, wherein said resilient member comprises a
U-shaped leaf spring.
20. A child pacifying doll, comprising: (a) a soft doll body; (b) a
pocket associated with said body and defining a volume in said
body, said pocket opening to the outer surface of said body; (c) a
casing disposed within said volume; (d) a vibrating weight member
associated with said casing; (e) an electromagnet disposed in said
casing; (f) a leaf spring for securing said electromagnet to said
vibrating weight member at a position where said vibrating member
is displaced by actuation of said electromagnet, said electromagnet
and said vibrating member forming a pulsation assembly; (g)
structure securing said assembly to said casing; and (h) a drive
causing said vibrating weight member to vibrate for a limited
period of time in response to an actuation of said assembly, even
if said actuation has been discontinued.
21. A doll, comprising (a) a soft doll body; (b) an internal
compartment disposed in said body; (c) a bob weight disposed in
said compartment; (d) an electromechanical member disposed in said
compartment; (e) a leaf spring for securing said electromechanical
member to said bob weight at a position to be displaced by said
electromechanical member; (f) a drive circuit, coupled to receive
an actuation input, said drive circuit applying pulses of
electrical energy to said electromagnetic member sufficient to
displace said bob weight with respect to said electromagnetic
member only to extreme positions of said bob weight relative to
said electromagnetic member where said bob weight and said
electromagnetic member are spaced apart from each other whereby
movement occurs without impact, said pulses being applied for a
limited period of time, even after removal of said actuation input,
and even if said actuation input is maintained indefinitely
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to improved pacification devices for
children of the type which have a mechanical mechanism for
simulating the feel of a heartbeat in a living animal.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Over the years considerable technology has developed around
the solution to the problem of pacifying babies and small children.
Generally, infantile unrest and later, the hyperactivity of small
children, are naturally occurring phenomena which, to greater and
lesser extents, appear to be "programmed into" human beings from
birth. In particular, the response of infants to the outside world
appears to be calculated to stimulate the sort of parental
attention which would certainly have been required in the
relatively dangerous environment in which man evolved.
[0003] Thus, the classic pattern appears. A child cries, signaling
its mother to devote some attention to the child either in the form
of hugging, cuddling, nursing or the like. Upon the application of
one of these stimuli, the child often stops crying, depending, to
some extent, upon the particular stimulus.
[0004] Above and beyond this it has been found in research with
related species that withholding such stimuli can have permanent
adverse effects on personality development and the mental stability
of the adult animal. Controlled studies have shown, for example,
that primates brought up in sterile laboratory surroundings without
any objects around them have been found to be significantly
disadvantaged as compared to other animals of the same species
which were provided with a form which they could hug and which
included structure within which they could protect themselves.
[0005] While such work is relatively recent, most successful infant
pacifiers have simulated otherwise naturally occurring human
interactions. A few examples of such devices include milk bottles,
nipple pacifiers, and soft dolls. In the case of somewhat older
children one may also add pets and a different class of devices
calculated to stimulate and interest the mind of the child. Such
devices include crib chimes, animated dolls, talking dolls and the
like.
[0006] While the above devices do perform the desired function of
pacifying children, they suffer from various inadequacies. For
example, nipple pacifiers, while they are quite inexpensive and may
initially be effective, do essentially frustrate the natural
expectations of the infant and, after a short time, may be
recognized and rejected. Stuffed toy animals, while soft and
appealing in texture, are essentially passive and thus,
particularly in the case of infants, are not very effective as the
infant is unable to fully appreciate the plush, its feel or its
design. To a limited extent the device can be improved by
incorporating an audio device (such as a digital recorder chip) in
a toy doll to add an audio stimulus to such a pacifier. However,
the stimulus is extremely complicated and not of a type likely to
be understood or learned by a small infant.
[0007] In addition, in the case of smaller children, talking dolls
are likely to have the opposite of the desired effect, that is the
effect of stimulating activity, instead of providing a calming
influence. U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,876 of Lee issued Jan. 12, 1988
discloses an approach toward addressing these problems. The
disclosed in that patent was intended to provide a pacifier for
infants and small children which is simple, inexpensive, and
effective. Generally, this was achieved by providing a soft,
huggable and pleasantly textured object, such as a teddy bear, with
the mechanical vibration mechanism of a simple periodic nature
which is capable of being understood and anticipated by even very
small infants and, in the case of small children, is identifiable
with life functions of a real parent, companion or pet. In
accordance with the preferred embodiment in that patent, the
pacifier comprised a stuffed animal with an electronic heart beat
mimicking device which was actuated by the hugging of the plush
stuffed animal by the child, causing the activation of a switch
which caused the mechanical vibration mechanism to stimulate the
feel of heartbeats as long as the switch was depressed by the
hugging of the child. When the child released the hug, the device
would be deactivated and the simulation of the feel of a heartbeat
would terminate.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0008] The technology for a child calming toy using rhythmic
stimulation taught by the above patent to Lee worked well. However,
in accordance with the present invention it has been recognized
that in the cases of younger infants, hugging of the mechanism may
not be a desirable way of turning the device on. For example,
children may not have the intentions and to maintain a hug. Smaller
children may not even make the connection between hugging and the
soothing heartbeat response. Moreover, if the child falls asleep on
the heart beating mechanism, it may continue beating, depleting the
battery, perhaps even without providing any benefit much of the
time.
[0009] The present invention, as claimed, is intended to provide a
remedy. It solves the problem of how to provide a pacifier for
infants and small children which is simple, inexpensive, and
effective, and which at the same time works well with small
children. Generally this is achieved by providing a soft, huggable
and pleasantly textured object, such as a teddy bear, with the
mechanical vibration mechanism of a simple periodic nature which is
capable of being understood and anticipated by even very small
infants and push this of a the is identifiable with life functions
of a real parent, companion or pet. Upon actuation, for example by
closing of an actuator switch for a short period of time, the
mechanical vibration mechanism vibrates through a number of
throbbing cycles, after which it automatically shuts itself off.
For example, even if the child has fallen asleep on the actuator
mechanism, causing it to be maintained for an extended period of
time in the actuated position. More particularly, and optionally,
if a child falls asleep while resting against the actuator, and is
actuating it for an extended period of time, the device will
function for a period of time, after which it will cease
throbbing.
[0010] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the inventive pacifier system comprises a stuffed animal
with an electronic heartbeat mimicking device. In accordance with
another optional preferred feature of the invention, the number of
throbbing cycles may be varied by the user. In accordance with
still another optional preferred feature of the invention, the user
may be given an indication of the length of the multiple throbbing
cycle period, such indication optionally taking the form of the
production of a plurality of indicator throbs, the number of which
indicate the length of the throbbing cycle (for example one throb
indicates that the heartbeat mechanism of the toy of the present
invention will operate for one minute of throbbing, two throbs
indicates five minutes, three throbs indicates twenty minutes, and
four throbs indicates 45 minutes of throbbing), such production of
throbs being simultaneous with the closing of the mechanism or a
sequential play of that number of indicator throbs after the switch
system has been programmed.
[0011] Alternatively, the system may be programmed so that after
the mechanism has been actuated wants or rapidly in succession to
three or four times, the system counts the number of depressions
and provides the desired output. The operation would be analogous
to single and double-clicking with a computer mouse where
repetitive clicking within a predetermined period is detected by
the system and results in the programmed selectable timeframe for
the heart beating function to occur.
[0012] Still another possibility is for the system to respond to
extended depression of the actuator to cause an audio output from
the device saying the amount of time that the device will continue
beating. For example, the switch may be depressed and as it is
depressed it may start to play back an audio recording which reads
"five minutes, fifteen minutes, 45 minutes, two hours". The system
may be programmed so that the last recording played back controls
the time that the heartbeat mechanism will beat. Moreover,
optionally, the system may be designed to ignore actuation of the
switch after the heart beating has begun. Optionally, however, the
system may be adjusted to have a cancel button or an on-off button
to conserve power and terminate a programmed instruction.
[0013] More particularly, in accordance with the present invention
a child pacifying doll, comprises a skin defining a doll body
configured and dimensioned to allow the doll body to be hugged.
Stuffing is disposed in the skin, and fills the skin into a soft
doll body form. The soft doll body form also defines an internal
volume within the doll body. A vibration coupling element having a
mass is disposed in the internal volume. An electromagnetic
inertial pulsating device comprises a vibrating mass. The vibrating
mass is coupled resiliently to the mass of the vibration coupling
element. A pulse producing circuit produces electrical pulses. The
electrical pulses are coupled to the electromagnetic inertial
pulsating device. The vibrating mass pulsates in response to the
electrical pulses to produce movements which comprise simulated
heartbeats. A control circuit has a control signal output for
controlling the pulse producing circuit. The control circuit is
responsive to a user input to cause the pulse producing circuit i)
to produce electrical pulses during an active period, or ii) to
produce a limited number of pulses.
[0014] In accordance with the invention, the pulses may be produced
during an active period of time of selectable duration. For
example, the number of pulses comprises a selectable number of
simulated heartbeats. In accordance with the preferred embodiment,
the control circuit comprises a switch which may be activated by
the user. The switch is coupled to a time sensing circuit to
generate the control signal output, the control signal output
varying as a function of the time that the switch is actuated.
Different values of the control signal output cause the pulse
producing circuit to produce an indication of the length of the
entire period. The switch is located on a support member secured to
the vibrator element and the control circuit causes the control
circuit to emit a control signal output triggering the
electromechanical inertial pulsating device to simulate a number of
heartbeats proportional to the time that the switch is activated.
The indication of the length of play of the heart beats may be an
audio recording.
[0015] The vibration coupling element may be a casing and the
electromechanical device may be disposed within the casing.
[0016] The electromechanical device may comprise a resilient member
securing the vibration coupling element to the vibrating mass and
an electromagent for displacing two ends of the member with respect
to each other to extreme relatively close positions relative to
each other where the two ends are still spaced apart from each
other whereby displacement occurs without impact. The
electromechanical device may moves the vibrating mass from a point
proximate but not contacting the electromechanical device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail
below with reference to drawings which illustrate only specific
embodiments of the invention, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating the position of a
heart-beat simulator contained within the inventive toy;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the simulator;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG.
2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a view of the vibrator circuit of the
simulator;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a is a plan view of the heart beat transducer;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan view along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a graph of the excitation voltage to the
transducer; and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
the inventive method;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the inventive drive circuitry;
and
[0028] FIG. 11 block diagram of an alternative drive circuit.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0029] Referring first to FIGS. 1-2, the preferred embodiment of
the invention is directed to dolls and toy animals including a
subsystem which provides the impression of actual heart beats. It
is believed that the inventive device which may take the form of a
doll, a pillow, blanket, mattress and so forth, such as toy animal
or teddy bear 10, with a heart-beat simulator 12 will induce in the
person playing with it feelings of contentment, warmth and comfort,
and aesthetic satisfaction similar to those the person would
experience if the person were hugging a living person, pet animal
or the like. Housing 14 comprises a front cover 16 and a rear cover
18 which may engage each other via an overhanging edge 20 on the
rear cover as illustrated in FIG. 3. As can be seen most clearly in
FIGS. 2 and 3, a heart shaped push button actuator 22 is slidingly
mounted in the front cover 16 for movement toward and away from
rear cover 18. This movement is achieved by providing a support pin
24 which is secured to actuator 22 and slides in a sleeve 26 which
is secured to and integral with front cover 16. Actuator 22
together with support pin 24 is prevented from falling out from
housing 14 by a stop member 28 which is integral with pin 24.
[0030] As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 3, support pin 24
directly overlies a switch 30 which is wired to actuate an
electronic pulsing circuit powered by a battery 32, or, for
example, a pair of AA dry cell batteries or any other suitable
electrical power source. Replacement of worn batteries is
accommodated by a slide battery cover 34 of conventional design and
which incorporates gripping surface 36. Cover 34 is configured to
be slidingly removed in the direction indicated by arrow 38 upon
the application of appropriate pressure to gripping surface 36.
Finally, the housing contains an electronic pulse generating
microprocessor-based circuit 40, as appears to more fully below,
and a heartbeat simulating transducer 42.
[0031] Transducer 42, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, comprises an
electromagnet 44 which includes a core 46 around which the windings
of electromagnet 44 are wound. The windings are confined by a pair
of spool ends 48 and 50 which serve as a means for securing
electromagnet 44 to a support 52. Support 52 is made from a
generally T-shaped sheet of ferromagnetic material such as iron or
steel. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 6, the sheet is bent to
form a pair of magnetic flux conducting members 54 and 56 and a
spring support 58 (FIG. 6).
[0032] Electromagnet 44 actuates a ferromagnetic bob 60 which is
mounted on a ferromagnetic strip 62 by epoxy or any other suitable
adhesive. Strip 62, in turn, is riveted by rivets 64 to spring 66
which, in turn, is riveted by rivets 68 to support 58. The spring
constant of spring 66 is such that upon the application of a pulse
to electromagnet 44, bob 60 will be attracted toward but will not
make mechanical contact with the top surfaces 70 and 72 of members
54 and 56. Thus, no clicking sound (or any substantial sound, for
that matter) will be produced by the application of pulses to
electromagnet 44, even though bob 60 is periodically displaced by
electromagnetic force and springs a back on the removal of such
electromagnetic force.
[0033] A typical driving voltage is illustrated in FIG. 7. As can
be seen from FIG. 7, the pulses alternate between a higher
amplitude pulse 74 having a relatively low frequency content and a
smaller amplitude pulse 76 having a relatively high frequency
content, as illustrated in FIG. 7. As these pulses are applied to
transducer 42, the result is to deflect the mass of bob 60.
Deflection of bob 60 causes relative movement of housing 14 with
respect to bob 60. This gives an individual in contact with housing
14 the impression of a beating heart, as heart-shaped housing 14
vibrates backwards and forwards in the chest of bear 10.
[0034] In accordance with the present invention, the algorithm for
implementing the invention may take a number of forms, as described
above. More particularly, for example, the algorithm employed may
be that illustrated in FIG. 8. The operation of the system is
implemented at step 110 upon the actuation of switch 30. The time
that switch 30 is actuated is measured at step 112. If the duration
of time during which switch 30 is actuated is to determine the
number of heartbeats to be output by transducer 42, the time may be
measured by a series of threshold time periods, each of which is
associated with the production of a particular number of beats up
to the maximum number of beats which is triggered at the maximum
threshold.
[0035] Accordingly, at step 114, the system determines whether
successive thresholds have been reached for so long as switch 30 is
actuated. Each time a threshold is reached, that information is
stored in a register at step 116. Simultaneously, the system
determines whether the maximum threshold has been reached at step
118. If the maximum threshold has not been reached, the system
returns to step 112. Likewise, as the various steps are achieved
and registered at step 116, a duration indicator is actuated at
step 120 with the system returning to the time measurement step
112. In accordance with this embodiment of the inventive system, at
step 120 duration indicating pulses are sent to the transducer 42.
For example, if three pulses indicates a duration of 45 minutes,
three pulses are sent to the transducer 42 at step 120. For
example, this may be the sending of a pulse to the transducer at
the achievement of each threshold up to the maximum threshold.
[0036] Once the maximum threshold has been detected at step 118,
the system proceeds to step 122 where the number of pulses sent to
the register at step 116 trigger the production of a series of
pulses in the transducer at step 124. This may optionally be
contingent upon switch 30 being no longer actuated.
[0037] In similar fashion, instead of telling the person actuating
the device of the duration of the series of heartbeat pulses that
will be produced by way of a number of pulses, the system may also
accommodate the generation of audio informing of the duration of
the period for which pulses will be produced.
[0038] In accordance with this alternative embodiment of the
present invention, the algorithm for implementing the invention may
take the form illustrated in FIG. 9. The operation of the system is
implemented at step 210 upon the actuation of switch 30. The time
that switch 30 is actuated is measured at step 212. If the duration
of time during which switch 30 is actuated is to determine the
number of heartbeats to be output (on the duration of heartbeat
generation) by transducer 42, the time may be measured by a series
of threshold time periods, each of which is associated with the
production of a particular number of beats up to the maximum number
of beats which is triggered at the maximum threshold.
[0039] Accordingly, at step 214, the system determines whether
successive thresholds have been reached for so long as switch 30 is
actuated. Each time a threshold is reached, the same is stored in a
register at step 216. Simultaneously, the system determines whether
the maximum threshold has been reached at step 218. If the maximum
threshold has not been reached, the system returns to step 212.
Likewise, as the various thresholds are achieved and registered at
step 216, a duration indicator is actuated at step 220 with the
system returning to the time measurement step 212.
[0040] In accordance with this embodiment of the inventive system,
at step 220 duration indicating audio is sent to a loudspeaker. For
example, such audio may be a recording of the phrase "five minutes"
if the first-time threshold has been reached, "15 minutes" if the
second time threshold has been reached, and "45 minutes" if and
when the third time threshold has been reached. Thus, the recording
played at step 120 may appear as a continuous phrase "five minutes,
15 minutes, 45 minutes". However, the recording would be cut off at
the announcement of the time interval corresponding to the
threshold associated with the largest time frame which was reached
by the system in response to actuation of switch 30.
[0041] Similarly, once the maximum threshold has been detected at
step 218, the system proceeds to step 222 where the number of
pulses stored in the register at step 116 produce a series of
pulses in the transducer at step 224, optionally provided that
switch 30 is no longer actuated.
[0042] A system for implementing the algorithm illustrated in the
block diagram of FIG. 8 is illustrated in FIG. 10. In the system
illustrated in FIG. 10, operation is initiated by actuation of
actuator switch 30. Actuator switch 30 is coupled to an analog to
digital converter 78 which converts the analog time for which
actuator switch 30 is closed to a digital number. This digital
number may be generated, for example, by having actuator switch 30
switch a current source to charge a capacitor. The voltage
accumulated across the capacitor over time is proportional to the
time for which switch 30 is closed. This voltage may be converted
to a digital number in a manner well known in the art. The output
of analog-to-digital converter 78 may then be used to drive a
microprocessor 80 which is driven by a clock 82. Microprocessor 80
may be programmed in a manner well known in the art to drive an
amplifier 84 to produce pulses which in turn are used to drive
transducer 42.
[0043] Microprocessor 80, in accordance with the preferred
embodiment, generates pulses which indicate the duration of the
period for which simulated heartbeats will be output by the system.
Thereafter, upon the release of the switch, microprocessor 80 may
be programmed to deliver the desired number of heartbeats to
amplifier 84 to be output by transducer 42.
[0044] A system for implementing the algorithm illustrated in the
block diagram of FIG. 9 is illustrated in FIG. 11. In the system
illustrated in FIG. 11, operation is initiated by actuation of
actuator switch 30. Actuator switch 30 is coupled to an analog to
digital converter 178 which converts the analog time for which
actuator switch 30 is closed to a digital number. This digital
number may be generated by, for example, having actuator switch 30
switch a current source to charge a capacitor. The voltage
accumulated across the capacitor over time is proportional to the
time for which switch 30 was closed. This voltage may be converted
to a digital number in a manner well known in the art.
[0045] The output of analog-to-digital converter 178 may then be
used to drive a microprocessor 180 which is driven by a clock 182.
Microprocessor 180 may be programmed in a manner well known in the
art to drive an amplifier 184 to produce pulses which in turn are
used to drive transducer 42.
[0046] Microprocessor 180, in accordance with the instant preferred
embodiment, generates control signals which indicate the duration
of the period for which simulated heartbeats will be output by the
system. Thereafter, upon the release of the switch 30,
microprocessor 180 may be programmed to deliver the desired number
of heartbeats to amplifier 184 to be output by transducer 42.
Microprocessor 180, during the actuation of switch 30 also actuates
microprocessor 186, which has been programmed as an audio phrase
recorder, to output the audio phrases "five minutes", "15 minutes",
and "45 minutes" in sequence, as described above.
[0047] When it is desired to use the inventive child pacifying
device, the simulator 12 is provided with a battery 32 by removal
of slide battery cover 34 which, after insertion of the battery is
put back on the housing. The simulator 12 is then placed in a
pocket 88 which is sewn into bear 10. Pocket 88 is closed by mating
Velcro (.TM.) strips 90 and 92 which are contained within the
pocket just inside its opening 94. After the pocket is closed by
bringing Velcro strips 90 and 92 into contact with each other, the
teddy bear is then ready to be enjoyed by the child.
[0048] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the parent,
other caretaker or child may then depress the actuator switch 30
initiating the heart beat output sequence selected.
[0049] If desired an outer heart 96 may be sewn to the body of the
teddy bear to cause a child to associate the heartbeat with, for
example, an applique heart 96. In the alternative applique heart 96
may be sewn to an item of clothing to be worn by the bear 10.
[0050] When the child either hugs the bear or feels its heart or an
adult, babysitter or older child presses the actuator 22, this
causes actuator 22 to drive pin 24 toward switch 30 closing the
electrical circuit and commencing, in accordance with the
methodology of FIG. 8 or 9, for example, the generation of the
pulses illustrated in FIG. 7 to the transducer illustrated in FIGS.
5 and 6. As discussed above, this results in the perception of a
pulsating heart within toy bear 10.
[0051] If desired, it is possible to regulate the strength of the
heartbeats in accordance with the power of the battery or, perhaps,
the desire to minimize the strength of the heartbeat to allow a
particular child to sleep by regulation of the electrical value of
the pulse in a manner known in the art. If the child has fallen
asleep, even sleeping on the bear closing the switch to be
actuated, or has stopped playing with the bear, the system is
programmed to cease producing pulses after the time period, to
which it has been set, has expired, thus conserving power in the
battery.
[0052] While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been
described, it is, of course, understood that various modifications
of the invention will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the
invention which is limited and defined only by the appended
claims.
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