WO2004109617A1

WO2004109617A1 - Safety enahncing device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2004109617A1
Application number: PCT/IL2004/000060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noam Hadas; Alfred Knoll
Original assignee: Home Procare Systems Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-06-11
Filing date: 2004-01-22
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Also published as: DE212004000033U1; IL156402A0

Abstract

A safety enhancing device and method are presented. The device comprises a sensor unit completely located inside a housing. The sensor unit is operable to determine at least one predetermined parameter and upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter generating an output data indicative thereof. The housing is configured as an unobtrusive packaging hiding the sensor unit from a viewer.

Description

SAFETY ENAHNCING DEVICE AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is generally in the field of monitoring techniques and relates to a safety enhancing device and method, particularly useful for monitoring a child condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A great variety of the so-called "baby monitors" have been developed to be used by parents to monitor a baby while the parent goes to a different location away from the baby, such as a different room or outside of the house (e.g., while the baby is sleeping). Such a baby monitor typically includes a baby associated unit (a sensor and a transmitter) and a parent associated unit (a receiver). Typically, the baby associated unit transmits sounds to the parent associated unit and, in some monitoring systems, the parent unit may also transmit the parent's voice to the baby unit.

Various conditions to be monitored and suitable implementations of the monitoring device are disclosed, for example, in the following U.S. patent publications: 4,747,413; 4,938,476; 5,038,137; 5,395,301; 5,512,880; 5,640,147; 5,749,365; 5,914,660; 5,928,157; 5,939,988; 6,373,392; 2002/00576202. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need in the art to facilitate safety enhancing monitoring the condition of an individual, particularly a child, to increase the safety margins and enhancing peace of mind of an authorized person (parent) concerning their young children or home pet.

The problem solved by the present invention is associated with the following. Currently, a child's safety and well-being (generally, any living being, for example, pets and old-age persons) is dependent on many factors of his/her surroundings, such as ambient temperature, humidity, direct sunlight, etc. Also of great importance are parameters relating to the child himself, such as sleeping posture, skin temperature, skin color and sweating, movement, etc. Considering that the vast majority of these risk factors have very low likelihood of developing into a real threat, and even then that mortal risk to the child is relatively low, it is more likely that any current alarm system brought to monitor these parameters will cause more harm than good by increasing the parent's anxiety and agitation. Although the known monitoring devices are capable of preventing relatively low risk situations, they typically look and "feel" like alarm devices, with flashing lights, digital displays and knobs and buttons. The result is that the parent's anxiety is increased rather than decreased, because of the constant visual reminder of the risks surrounding the child.

The present invention solves the above problem by providing effective monitoring/alarm of non-series risk factors without alerting the parent (or authorized person) or increasing his/her anxiety level, by "hiding" a monitoring device and its output from the user all the time, except for the moment the alarm is triggered by the detection of the risk condition for which the device is designed. This is implemented by locating a safety enhancing device (monitor) within an assembly, such as a toy or decoration, which has no feature revealing it as a monitor or safety apparatus. Such a monitor device includes an appropriate sensor means designed to measure one or more desired parameters of the individual condition (which may be indicative of his/her surroundings) and produce an alarm signal only upon detecting that the measured parameter does not satisfy a predetermined criteria. Considering the decorative assembly, it is designed either to be positioned near the child or other care-dependent living being (generally, an individual), or to be attachable to the clothes of the child (or to the skin when needed). The monitor device is small and unobtrusive, but preferably not too small so as to cause risk that the child could swallow it.

There is thus provided according to one broad aspect of the invention, a safety enhancing device comprising a sensor unit operable to determine at least one predetermined parameter and upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter generating an output data indicative thereof, the sensor unit being completely located inside a housing configured as an unobtrusive packaging hiding the sensor unit from a viewer.

The housing may be designed as a toy or decoration, such as a doll, a geometrical element, a teddy bear or any other similar plush toy or animal common in nurseries. The housing is preferably made of a soft fabric material. This allows actuation of the sensor unit by pushing a button on the sensor unit via the material of the housing from the outside thereof.

The sensor unit includes a measuring unit (sensing assembly) configured for determining (continuously or periodically) the at least one predetermined parameter and generating measured data indicative thereof. This may for example be a gravity-referenced sensor for detecting the individual's position; a sensor capable of monitoring ambient conditions, such as temperature, humidity, C0₂ content, CO content, wind speed, UV radiation intensity, excessive noise, excessive vibrations, particulate air pollution, allergens, etc. Considering monitoring the spatial position of the sensing assembly (gravity sensor), the sensor unit may include an additional gravity-referenced sensor operable to stop the alarm signal when the sensor unit returns to a predetermined orientation.

The sensor preferably includes a processor utility preprogrammed for analyzing the measured data and, upon detecting a predetermined condition of the measured data, generating an alarm signal. Generally, however, the processor utility may be incorporated within an external device connectable to the measuring unit via wireless data transmission (acoustic, IR, or RF signal).

Generally, the device is designed so as to conceal the electronics, by providing the sensing assembly activation and data processing in a manner that presents no marks on the outer surface of the device. To this end, the sensing assembly may for example be configured to be actuated by an external signal (acoustic or IR) coming from a remote location. Considering internal actuation means, this may include push-buttons concealed under a soft fabric cover that is part of the construction of a toy or decoration assembly; or gravity-activated switches controlled by tilting or shaking the device, or by placing it in some predetermined spatial position. The activation/control means may be attached to the parts of a toy being located in a hard plastic cases, e.g., activating the device by moving the hand of a doll or rotating the nose of the face of a wall clock.

The safety enhancing device further includes an indicator connectable to the processor unit and operable by the alarm signal to generate the output data. This output data preferably includes an acoustic signal. Such an acoustic indicator is a part of the sensor unit. The acoustic signal may be a short music epoch, or music with slowly increasing amplitude or slowly varying tone from a soft to highly annoying tone (e.g., up to a minute duration). Alternatively, or additionally, the output data may include an IR or RF signal transmittable to a remote unit, for example located in the vicinity of a parent or authorized person. Generally, the indicator (or the processor and indicator), may be incorporated in an external device connectable to the sensor unit via a signal transmission (acoustic or IR signal). For example, the alarm signal may be tuned to activate a pitch sensitive circuit in a standard wireless baby-phone, triggering a special alarm at the remote site. Generally, the alarm signal can be transmitted by RF; IR; Blue-Touch or any other type of signal transmission including transmission through telephone lines, the Internet, to a receiver tuned to activate a pitch sensitive circuit in a receiving apparatus like a patch receiver, a standard or mobile phone, s TV set, a computer system, triggering a special alarm at the remote site.

It is important for the present invention that no feedback signal (optical or acoustic) at any time, unless the condition for which the sensor unit is designed, is detected. For verification purposes only, the alarm may be activated when the user specifically requests a "self test" function. The device has no digital or analog displays, lights (either flashing or lighting), moving items and any other type of eye catching elements signaling continuous operation.

The device may be attached to the clothes of individual by using a rigid or semi-rigid disk or plate or a different shape, attached to the back side of the device (e.g., decorative arrangement), and a rubber or another closed-loop band. Generally, any other suitable fastening (attachment) means can be used. For example, the device can be attachable to the individual's body using a dedicated belt across the chest or abdomen, or on one of the limbs or neck. The attachment means may include a dedicated garment like short sleeved shirt, or any other design, with pockets or compartments of the appropriate size and orientation to contain and hold the monitor, or with Velcro strips at the right places. According to yet another example, the fastening/attachment assembly may include a patch of adhesive loop-and-hook attachment material. One gender material is applied on the other, and the opposite gender material - on the back of the device. A "pin and socket" attachment can be used, where one or several pins are inserted from the inside of the clothes pointing out, and inserted in a dedicated hole and locking mechanism inside the soft material packaging of the device.

According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toy or decorative arrangement, comprising a safety enhancing device located inside the toy or decoration such that the device is completely hidden from a viewer, the safety enhancing device comprising a sensor unit operable to measure at least one predetermined parameter and generating an output data only upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a decorative arrangement for attaching to an individual, the decorative arrangement comprising thereinside a safety enhancing device such that the device is completely hidden from a viewer, the safety enhancing device comprising a sensor unit operable to measure at least one predetermined parameter and generating an output data only upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non- limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A and IB exemplify safety enhancing devices of the present invention designed as a night-time sleepwalking alarm;

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a sensor unit suitable to be used in the device of the present invention;

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates another example of the safety enhancing device of the present invention designed for an ambient temperature alarm;

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of a fastening assembly suitable to be used for attaching a safety enhancing device to the clothes; and Fig. 5 illustrates a safety enhancing device as attached to the pajamas shirt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figs. 1A and IB, safety enhancing devices, generally designated 10, of the present invention are exemplified. The device 10 includes a housing 12 in the form of a soft fabric "badge", formed with a fastening assembly (not shown here) for attaching to the child's clothes. The device may for example be designed as a night-time sleepwalking alarm. To this end, a sensor unit (not shown here), mounted inside the housing 12, includes a suitable sensing assembly capable of detecting a change in its spatial position from horizontal to vertical for a certain period of time (e.g., 3-10 seconds), and activating the alarm upon detecting such a change. In the example of Fig. 1A, the housing 12 is shaped like a teddy bear head, while in the example of Fig. IB the housing has a heart-like shape formed at its rear surface with a safety pin or another fastening assembly for attaching to the clothes. It should be noted that the sensing unit may be incorporated within a part of the toy, for example Fig. IB being the illustration of the nose portion of the teddy bear shown Fig. 1A.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the main constructional elements of a sensor unit 14 ("hidden" inside the housing). The sensor unit 14 includes a sensing assembly 14A associated with an actuator 14B (e.g., push-button), a processor/control utility 14C preprogrammed to be responsive to measured data MD (generated by the sensing assembly) and selectively operating an indicator 14D (upon detecting an alarm condition). The indicator 14D is an acoustic device designed to output audio signals in a predetermined manner. The construction and operation of these elements do not form part of the present invention, and therefore need not be specifically described, except to note the following: In this specific example of monitoring night-time sleepwalking, the sensing assembly 14A may be a gravity switch, e.g., ball type or mercury type. When the child leaves his bed or simply stands at night or during the day when he/she is supposed to be sleeping, the alarm sounds gradually from soft to strong tone, melodic tones or music piece of a few seconds. The processor is preferably preprogrammed to stop the alarm signal a predetermined time (e.g., 1-5 seconds) after the child resumes laying down position. Thus, according to the invention, the sensor unit is concealed inside a soft character face attached to the child pajamas shirt. The entire device 10 is small, e.g., about 4cm in diameter and 1.5cm in thickness, including the fabric, stuffing and backside holding elements. To minimize user's interaction with the device, a battery (not shown) is enclosed and is not replaceable. It should be noted, although not specifically shown, that the safety enhancing device may include an external packaging (housing 12 designed as a toy or decoration) and an internal packaging. Hence, the external packaging can be removed for washing and cleaning purposes. Fig. 3 exemplifies a safety enhancing device 100 of the present invention designed, for example, for an ambient temperature alarm. The same reference numbers are used to identify those components which are common in all the examples of the invention. The device 100 includes a housing 12 in the form of a hard plastic shell shaped like a smiling face; and a sensor unit (not shown here, for example as that of Fig. 2) located inside the housing 12. The doll can be attached to the side of the crib beside the baby using a piece of fabric adhesive, loop-and-hook attachment material, safety pins or similar means. The same device can be hung from a mobile or integrated in another toy, providing additional features to an otherwise passive toy. The self-test function can be implemented using a gravity switch. Holding the face upside down activates the alarm self test to sound a short music piece if the device is operational. A non- replaceable internal battery is preferably used. A special sound signal may be generated to indicate to the user that the device will soon become inactive.

Attachment of an alarm device to the individual's clothes is a very important aspect of the accuracy and proper functioning of the device. In the case of a somnambulism or night walking alarm, the issue is further complicated by the need to sleep with the device without loosing spatial correlation with the body axis.

Fig. 4 exemplifies a fastening assembly 20 suitable to be used for attaching the device to the baby's clothes. A back side of the fabric packaging (i.e., of the housing 12) is shown, to which a plate or disk 22 is attached by stitches 24. An elastic ring 26 is used for attaching the plate 22 to the clothes. The ring 26 is of slightly smaller circumference than the plate 22, but can be stretched to accommodate clothes of different fabric thickness. The plate 22 may be rigid or semi-rigid flat plate attached to the backside of the soft fabric package. The plate 22 is preferably ellipsoid or circular with rugged edges to lower the chances the device will rotate on the fabric, with a diameter of a few millimeters less than the outer contour of the package. The plate 22 is attached over almost the entire surface of the backside of the housing 12, leaving just the outermost few millimeters free. When applying the safety enhancing device to the shirt or clothes, the user presses the plate 22 into the material, creating a bump on the inside of the material. The rubber band or ring 26 (preferably with a circular cross-section) is applied over this bump and the elastic material forces itself into the groove created between the plate and the packaging fabric. The elastic material is preferably other than Latex, so as prevent allergic responses.

This attachment scheme provides almost perfect flatness, allowing for comfortable sleep with minimal disturbance, secure attachment with good rotational stability, and easy installation and removal off any material. Moreover, this attachment needs no foreign material in contact with the skin, and no holes are made in the clothes. The elastic ring 26 may also be used to press on an ON/OFF switch of the sensing assembly (or of the processor utility), thus activating the device automatically when it is to be put in operation.

Fig. 5 more specifically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a safety enhancing device (e.g., the sleepwalking alarm) attached to the pajamas shirt. As shown, shirt material 28 is locked under the back plate 22 under the pull of the rubber ring or band 26. A sensor unit 14 is located inside the housing 12 so as to be completely hidden from the user. The housing 12 is a soft fabric, synthetics wool filled package. The back plate 22 is attached to the back side of the soft fabric packaging. The rubber band 26 (of slightly smaller circumference than the back plate) attaches the plate 22 to the shirt material.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to the embodiments of the invention described hereinbefore without departing from its scope defined in and by the appended claims. For example, a sensor unit of the safety enhancing device may have any known suitable configuration, provided it allows its incorporation inside a soft fabric or plastic housing and actuation from outside of the housing, and allows alarm signal presentation with no need for any data presentation means on the outer surface of the housing.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A safety enhancing device comprising a sensor unit operable to determine at least one predetermined parameter and upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter generating an output data indicative thereof, the sensor unit being completely located inside a housing configured as an unobtrusive packaging hiding the sensor unit from a viewer.

2. The device of Claim 1, wherein the housing is configured as a toy or decoration.

3. The device of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor unit includes a sensing assembly configured for determining said at least one predetermined parameter and generating measured data indicative thereof.

4. The device of any one of preceding Claims, comprising a processor utility preprogrammed to be responsive to the measured data for analyzing the measured data and generating the alarm signal only upon detecting an alarm condition of the measured data.

5. The device of Claim 4, comprising an indicator operable by the alarm signal to produce an output indicating signal.

6. The device of Claim 5, wherein the output signal is an acoustic signal.

7. The device of Claim 6, wherein the acoustic signal is of a time varying tone.

8. The device of Claim 4, wherein the processor utility is preprogrammed to stop the output signal after a certain period of time or after the sensing assembly has detected a certain condition of said at least one predetermined parameter.

9. The device of Claim 3, wherein the sensing assembly is configured for determining a change in a spatial position of the sensing assembly indicative of a change in a position of an object carrying the device.

10. The device of Claim 9, wherein the sensing assembly includes a gravity sensor.

11. The device of Claim 10, wherein the sensing assembly includes an additional gravity sensor operable to stop the alarm signal when the sensing assembly returns to a predetermined spatial position.

12. The device of Claim 3, wherein the sensing assembly is configured for determining a change in an ambient condition.

13. The device of Claim 12, wherein the ambient condition include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, C0₂ content, CO content, wind speed, UV radiation intensity, excessive noise, excessive vibrations, particulate air pollution, allergens.

14. The device of any one of preceding Claims, comprising an actuating assembly operable to actuate a sensing assembly of the sensor unit.

15. The device of Claim 14, wherein the actuating assembly is configured to be responsive to an external signal coming from a remote location to actuate the sensing assembly.

16. The device of Claim 14, wherein the actuating assembly is a push-button on the sensor unit.

17. The device of any one of preceding Claims, wherein the housing is made of a soft fabric material.

18. The device of Claim 14, wherein the actuating means includes a button on its outer surface allowing pushing the button via the material of the housing from outside thereof.

19. The device of Claim 14, wherein the actuating assembly comprises at least one gravity-activated switch configured to be actuated when tilted, shake, or placed in a certain predetermined spatial position.

20. The device of Claim 14, wherein the housing is configured as a toy or decoration, the actuating assembly being mounted in a displaceable part of the toy or decoration.

21. The device of any one of preceding Claims, comprising a fastening assembly configured for attaching the device to clothes.

22. The device of Claim 21, wherein the fastening assembly comprises a back plate-like element attached to a back side of the soft fabric material of the housing, and an elastic ring-like element for attaching the plate-like element to a region on the clothes, thereby enabling locking of said region of the clothes under the plate-like element under pull of the ring-like element.

23. A toy or decorative arrangement, comprising a safety enhancing device located inside the toy or decoration such that the device is completely hidden from a viewer, the safety enhancing device comprising a sensor unit operable to measure at least one predetermined parameter and generating an output data only upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter. ,

24. A decorative arrangement for attaching to an individual, the decorative arrangement comprising thereinside a safety enhancing device such that the device is completely hidden from a viewer, the safety enhancing device comprising a sensor unit operable to measure at least one predetermined parameter and generating an output data only upon detecting an alarm condition of said at least one parameter.

25. A method for use in monitoring a condition of an individual or his/her surroundings, the method comprising mounting a sensor unit, configured for monitoring said condition and generating alarm signal upon detecting an alarm condition, inside a housing configured as an unobtrusive packaging completely hiding the sensor unit from a viewer, thereby enabling the monitoring while preventing undesirable alert of an authorized person.