U.S. patent application number 12/859259 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for electronic remote control music mobile with built-in mp3 player, timer, colorful lights, remote baby monitor, and adjustable support arm.
Invention is credited to Russel T. Skeates, Xiuqing Wang.
Application Number | 20110230115 12/859259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44647605 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110230115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Xiuqing ; et
al. |
September 22, 2011 |
ELECTRONIC REMOTE CONTROL MUSIC MOBILE WITH BUILT-IN MP3 PLAYER,
TIMER, COLORFUL LIGHTS, REMOTE BABY MONITOR, AND ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT
ARM
Abstract
The electronic mobile is mountable to a crib through an
adjustable arm where the height and length can be adjusted. The
device includes a central operating unit with built in MP3 player
with USB port, timer, colorful lights, baby monitor baby unit,
electric motor as well as baby monitor remote unit, and two
speakers. The MP3 player, timer, colorful lights and electric motor
can be operated either manually or through remote control. The
built in baby monitor baby unit links to the baby monitor remote
unit, allowing two ways communications. At the base of the mobile
there are several animal figures attached using a hook and safety
latch. The central operating unit is detachable from the adjustable
arm and mobile, and the unit can be powered by battery or the AC/DC
adaptor with cord that runs inside the adjustable arms.
Inventors: |
Wang; Xiuqing; (Aurora,
CO) ; Skeates; Russel T.; (Aurora, CO) |
Family ID: |
44647605 |
Appl. No.: |
12/859259 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61316126 |
Mar 22, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. The electronic remote control baby music mobile, comprising of
an adjustable arm as a means to fasten the electronic mobile to the
crib.
2. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 1
wherein said adjustable support arms include adjusting length
(horizontal) or height (vertical) of arms.
3. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 1
wherein said adjustable support arms has safety latch to secure
central operating unit.
4. The electronic remote control baby music mobile, comprising: a.
Central operating unit includes built in MP3, timer, baby monitor
baby unit, colorful lights, speakers and electric motor b. A remote
control c. Baby monitor remote monitoring unit d. Rotating
mobile
5. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit includes built in music
player.
6. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit includes USB port for uploading
music or connecting to a computer or other sources.
7. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit includes a timer for timing
music player, rotating mobile, colorful lights.
8. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit includes colorful lights,
intensity of lights are adjustable.
9. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has a built in baby monitor
baby unit, transmitting baby's noise to baby monitor remote
monitoring unit, the said baby monitor remote monitoring unit
allows parent talk to the baby.
10. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has amplifier/speakers for the
MP3 player and/or sound from baby monitor remote monitoring
unit.
11. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has a remote controller and
wherein said operating unit has a remote sensor, said remote
controller will operate music player, timer, colorful lights, and
motor.
12. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has power source, said power
source includes battery.
13. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has a port for an electrical
cord adapted to couple with an AC/DC adaptor, the said electric
cord is housed within the adjustable arms within claim 1 of the
electronic remote control baby music mobile.
14. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit is detachable from adjustable
arms and rotating mobile.
15. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has safety latch to secure
rotating mobile.
16. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit has a built in electric motor
which is controlled by timer within claim 7.
17. The electronic remote control baby music mobile of claim 4
wherein said central operating unit can be made into various forms,
such as animal shapes or popular cartoon characters with various
colors.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/316,126, filed on Mar. 22, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an improved remote control
musical mobile integrated with a MP3 player with USB port, timer,
baby monitor, motorized mobile, colorful lights and adjustable
arm.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Toy mobiles entertain the baby and even promote development
of the baby's mind. Studies show that colorful shapes enhance color
differentiation and stimulate visual recognition and development.
Music mobiles produce different sounds to develop the baby's
hearing capacity and ability to differentiate sounds. The invention
combines music, color and baby monitoring together to present a new
generation of baby music mobiles.
[0006] The related art describes a number of devices that can be
used to stimulate an infant or newborn's brain activity and visual
activity and a number of devices that can be used to monitor the
baby while the parents are not in the same room as the baby.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,047 issued to Kachel outlines the use of
lighted fiber optic mobile. The crib mobile wherein the objects or
characters attached to its appendages, or any point on the
appendages, can emit active twinkling or sequencing colorful light.
It uses optic fibers to transmit light form a light source in the
mobile's central housing to the objects or characters, or a given
location on the appendages. The light is made active and colorful
at the output end of the optic fibers by placing a light
influencing slide between the light source and the input end of the
revolving optic fibers that are routed from the appendages and are
grouped together in front of the light source.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,786 issued to McCormick outlines the use
of continuous play musical mobile. The mobile, which is operated by
a motor, is mounted to the crib or playpen by means of a resilient
shaft that will move under the influence of vibrations from the
motor, thereby imparting another type of motion to the mobile. In
addition a tape recorder or sound chip is incorporated into the
device so parents can play soothing music to the infant. The
recorder or sound chip is voice activated and has a mode switch
which allows a parent to operate the mobile upon hearing noise, to
turn the mobile manually, or to turn the mobile off.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,360 issued to Fearon et al. outlines the
use of infant musical mobile that utilizes a compact disc and
cassette player. The mobile is also mounted on the side of the
infant's crib or playpen and has a variety of ornaments that hang
over the infant. The mobile can be used to play continuously or can
self-actuate in response to the infant's sounds or movements. There
is also an infrared remote control used with device as well.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,049,968 issued to Fitzgeald et al. outlines
a baby monitor system with a remote monitoring unit communicable
with a baby unit a soothing unit is provided. The baby unit is
responsive to receiving a signal representative of an audible sound
transmitted from the remote monitoring unit and the remote
monitoring unit is responsive to receiving a signal representative
of an audible sound transmitted from the baby unit.
[0011] The devices described in the Khamphilavong et al., the
Kachel patent, the McCormick patent, the Fearon et al. patent, and
the Fizgeald et al. patent utilize various features regarding the
movement of the music mobile, the remote control of the music
mobile, and monitoring of the baby while parents or caregivers are
not in the same room as the baby. The devices described in these
patents are very useful and can be improved in so many ways that
are really needed per today's technology. It would be beneficial to
provide baby music mobile equipped with MP3 and other functions so
that parents can program and play variety of songs and music for
any desired duration, in the same time parents can monitor the baby
while they are not in the same room with the baby. It would be of
further benefit to enhance baby color differentiation and visual
ability while enjoying the soothing music.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention relates to an improved remote control
musical mobile integrated with a MP3 player with USB port, timer,
baby monitor, motorized mobile and colorful lights and adjustable
arm.
[0013] The first object of the invention is to incorporate a built
in MP3 player into the central operating unit. The MP3 player will
come preloaded with popular baby songs. The unit will also have the
capability to connect to a PC via USB port and upload music. The
MP3 player will have a button interface and have the ability to be
remotely controlled via the remote control, both allowing volume
and song selection. The central operating unit is detachable so as
to make it easy to upload music. The central operating unit can be
made of various shapes with different colors to further attract
baby's attention. Being detachable, the central operating unit can
be used as a music player as the baby grows older.
[0014] The second object of the invention is to make the mobile arm
adjustable. With infants growing, their seeing distance is
changing, and infants intend to grab the toys, thus there becomes a
need to adjust the arm's height, encouraging infants to reach out
and further developing motor skills.
[0015] The third object of the invention is to integrate a
microphone, a small transmitter and receiver into the central
operating unit. There is also a remote monitoring unit which
remotely monitors the baby. When the baby makes a noise or cries,
the signal will go to microphone and be transmitted to the remote
monitoring unit so parents or caregivers can be notified. The
remote monitoring unit will allow the parent or caregiver to talk
to the baby, comforting the baby as if the parent or caregiver were
with him/her. A mute switch on the remote monitoring unit, allows
the parent or caregiver to turn off the signal going to the baby
monitoring unit, so that way unwanted background noise can be muted
during times of a noisy background, such as a TV, kitchen
appliances, washing machines, etc.
[0016] The fourth object of the invention is to provide a remote
control for the central operating unit, allowing the unit to be
turned on or off, shuffle music, change volume, change light
intensity, and/or set the timer.
[0017] The fifth object of the invention is to put a built in timer
on the central operating unit. The timer will control the MP3
player, the motorized mobile rotation, and the colorful lights. The
baby monitor can only be turned on or off by manual selection,
versus using remote control.
[0018] The sixth object of the invention is to incorporate a
motorized mobile to rotate the mobile. Being motorized, parents
won't have to worry about winding the mobile, thereby providing
parents the ability to control the mobile operation at designated
time period set forth in the timer. The mobile's motor is
controlled by the timer either remotely or by manually setting the
timer using front panel controls.
[0019] The seventh object of the invention is to integrate colorful
lights on the bottom of the central operating unit with the ability
to shut off manually or while in the on position turn off by the
timer. The lights will be dimly lit with the capability to slightly
change the intensity as well as with the ability to turn off
completely. The light will pass through the moving parts of the
mobile creating a shadowing effect. The lights will help pacify the
baby while they listen to music and watch the moving parts under
the central operating unit.
[0020] The eight objective is the use of DC to power the musical
mobile. The musical mobile arm is comprised of plastic conduits and
the DC cord passes up through plastic conduits to connect and
supply power to the central operating unit. The conduit not only
provides extra protection against electrical hazards, but also
prevents strangulation hazards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0021] FIG. 0 is an environmental, perspective view of a electronic
remote control musical mobile integrated with a MP3 player with USB
port, timer, baby monitor, motorized mobile, colorful lights and
adjustable arm according to the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the front and back
of central operating unit according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable support arm
according to the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the remote
control.
[0025] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are perspective views of the remote
monitoring unit of baby monitor
[0026] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of the musical mobile
according to the present invention.
[0027] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout several views. Although the drawings represent
embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in
order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.
Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments
of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below
are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The embodiments hereinafter disclosed are not intended to be
exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in
the following description. Rather the embodiments are chosen and
described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its
teachings.
[0029] The present invention is a remote control musical mobile
integrated with a MP3 player and USB port, timer, adjustable arm,
baby monitor, motorized mobile and colorful lights with main
embodiments central operating unit A depicted in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1
B, and adjustable arm B depicted in FIG. 2.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1A, it is a perspective view of the remote
control music mobile central operating unit A according to the
present invention. The central operating unit A of the remote
control musical mobile is comprised of a MP3 player, USB port,
timer, baby monitor, motorized mobile and colorful lights. Item 109
is the MP3 player screen, 107 is the start or pause button, 106 is
next button, 110 is previous button, and 108 is the stop button.
Above item 109 is the MP3 volume adjuster 111. Volume adjuster 111
also serves as the MP3 manual on/off push button. The MP3's volume
and song selection can also be controlled by remote control
(details about the remote control will be discussed in FIGS. 3A and
3B). The MP3 on/off function can also be controlled manually or by
the timer. Item 113 is the timer screen and 114 is the start button
for the timer. When button 114 is pressed, a maximum of 120 minutes
will be present on screen 113; when button 114 is pressed again,
the minutes will be reduced by 10 minutes; and so on until reduced
to zero minutes. The timer function 114 can also be set by remote
control (details about the remote control will be discussed in
FIGS. 3A and 3B). The MP3 player comes with a standard USB cable
128 shown in FIG. 1B, where it connects to USB port 127. USB port
127 allows the parents or caregivers to upload music of their
choice. The musical song selection and volume can be selected
manually or through the remote control (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B).
The MP3 sound exits through speakers 101 on left and right sides of
the central operating unit A.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1A, 103 is an infrared receiver which
receives signals from the remote control infrared signaling device
301, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B which directly controls the timer
114, MP3 player volume 111, colorful lights 105, and indirectly
controls the motorized mobile 104 through the timer 114.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1A, the built in colorful lights 105 can be
manually shut off by using on/off switch 117. Power to the colorful
lights can also be controlled by the timer 114 or the remote
control (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The colorful lights 105 are
LEDs with multi colored plastic lenses. The colorful lights 105
intensity can be manually adjusted by using light intensity
adjuster 118 or by remote control (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The
118 adjuster also allows the lights to be turned off altogether, if
desired. The colorful lights on/off function 117 can also be
controlled by remote control (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B).
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1A, the built in baby monitor baby unit
microphone 119, and remote monitoring unit (shown in FIGS. 4A and
4B) which can be turned on/off by baby monitor switch 124. The
microphones 119, will pick up noises from the baby and a built in
transmitter will transmit the signal to the receiver known as the
remote monitoring unit (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). The baby monitor
is the only function that cannot be operated via the timer or
remote control. Only on/off switch 124 can operate the baby monitor
on/off function. The remote monitoring unit (shown in FIGS. 4A and
4B) volume can be controlled by a volume wheel 407 (shown in FIGS.
4A and 4B). Remote monitoring unit has an AC/DC adaptor shown in
FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C and a battery compartment as an option to allow
the parent greater range of movement. The remote monitor's signal
strength is indicated by a green or yellow light 408. A parent or
caregiver can talk to the baby using the remote monitoring unit
through microphone 403, and speaker 404 which allows baby sounds to
be received from the baby monitoring unit FIG. 1A. The remote
monitoring unit depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B transmits the signal to
the baby unit's receiver built in the central operating unit A,
allowing a method of two communication between parent or caregiver
and the baby. There is also a mute switch 409, allowing the parent
or caregiver to mute any sounds from the parent or caregiver's end
and thereby avoiding disturbing the baby.
[0034] As shown in the FIG. 1A, inside the central operating unit A
there is a built in motor 104, which is used to rotate the animals
hanging through the hook under the central operating unit A.
Compared with traditional mobiles, parents won't have to worry
about winding the mobile, thereby providing endless mobile
operation set forth in the timer 114. The motor 104, is controlled
by setting the timer via remote control timer button 309 on the
remote control shown in FIG. 3A, or by manually setting the timer
by using front panel button 114.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1A, under the central operating unit A
there is a base where microphone 119 is built in. The base houses
the bottom hook 121. The hook, 121, has a safety latch, 120, to
prevent the mobile piece C from inadvertently unhooking and falling
onto the baby.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1B, the back of the central operating unit
A has rubber foot pads 124, for placement on the unit's back while
detached and uploading MP3's. There is also a DC inlet 125 on the
back of the central operating unit A and a battery compartment 126,
allowing remote use. USB port connection 127 is shown on top of the
unit.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the musical mobile is attached to the
crib by the fastener, 201, which fastens arm B to the baby crib or
a piece of furniture. The arm B is comprised of three plastic
conduits as shown in the FIG. 2. Plastic conduit items 1 and 2,
work together to adjust the height of the arm. There are three
openings, 202, in each of the plastic conduits 2 and 3 to allow for
adjustment. Plastic conduit 2's diameter is smaller than plastic
conduit 1, so plastic conduit 2 is put inside of the plastic
conduit 1. Likewise, conduit 3's diameter is smaller than conduit
2. Pins 205 and 207 are spring loaded which allow retraction and
insertion, while ensuring a safe locking position, and also
prevents the bolt from getting lost. The other side of the plastic
conduit 3 is a hook, 212, connecting the adjustable arm to central
operating unit A. There is a safety latch, 211, on the hook 212,
which prevents inadvertent falling of the central operating unit A.
The three plastic conduits 1, 2 and 3 allow the DC power cable,
208, provided from AC/DC power adaptor 213, to safely pass up
through to the DC inlet 125 on the back of the central operating
unit A shown in FIG. 1B.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3A, 302, is the button to turn on or off
the central operating unit A. Item 301 is the infrared signaling
device to send signal to central operating unit A. Timer button,
309 is used to control timer 114, FIG. 1A. Item 303 is for
adjusting MP3 volume, 304 is for play/pause of MP3, 310 for
stopping playing MP3, 311 for previous music, and 312 for next
music. 305 for turning on colorful lights, 306 for turning off
colorful lights, 307 for reducing lights intensity and 308 for
increasing colorful light's intensity.
[0039] FIG. 3B shows the back of the remote control, 313 is battery
compartment.
[0040] FIG. 4A shows baby monitor's remote monitoring unit, 401 is
the antenna which sends and receives signals to and from the baby
monitoring unit within central operating unit A. Item 402 is the
power button for turning on/off the remote monitor unit. Item 403
is a microphone which inputs voice for transmission to the baby
monitoring unit in central operating unit A. Item 404 is the
speaker which allows parent or caregiver to hear baby's noise or
cries. Item 407 is a volume adjuster and item 408 shows signal
strength coming from the baby monitor unit within central operating
unit A. Item 409 is a mute switch allowing muting of any sounds
from remote end.
[0041] FIG. 4B shows the back of baby monitor remote monitoring
unit. Item 405 is the battery compartment and item 406 is the DC
inlet where the AC/DC adaptor connects as shown in FIG. 4C.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of the present
invention of electronic remote control music mobile.
[0043] It should be understood that although the MP3 player is used
as one of illustrated embodiment of central operating unit A, other
means may be employed, for instance, through USB connector, the
central operating unit A can be connected to a home computer or
blue tooth-technology. Furthermore, as the central operating unit A
can be detachable, the central operating unit can be made of
various forms and can be used as a decoration item, such as to sit
on a dresser or table in the room or hang on to the wall.
[0044] While this invention has been described as having an
exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains.
* * * * *