Patent Application
20050088298
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to baby monitors.
2. Background Information
Baby monitors that allow remote monitoring of a baby are well-known. The device typically includes a transmitter (baby) unit which is place in a room with a baby or infant who is either playing or sleeping, and a receiving (parent/guardian) unit which is located in another part of the house or building where the guardian is. The transmitting unit detects sound made by the baby and transmits this sound to the receiving unit where it is output via a speaker. The receiving unit may also have one or more visual indicators.
One problem is that the guardian monitoring the receiving unit might wish to listen to entertainment such as a TV or radio. This causes a problem as the guardian may not hear baby sounds from the receiving unit.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a baby monitor which overcomes or ameliorates the above mentioned problem.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a receiver for use in monitoring baby from a remote location comprising;
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a baby monitor including:
Preferably, the personal entertainment system is a radio.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a personal entertainment system for use in monitoring baby from a remote location comprising:
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Referring to
Referring
While the radio function is operating the baby signal receiver 6 is ‘listening’ for baby sounds from the transmitting unit. Muting control unit 10 is connected to baby sound receiver 6 and radio unit 7. If baby sounds are detected then muting controller 10 mutes the radio output so that the baby sounds can be output by audio amplifier 8 and speaker 9.
A receiving unit according to the invention allows the person monitoring the baby to listen to radio broadcast entertainment signals without fear that they will not hear baby sounds. If baby sounds occur the radio output is muted and the baby sounds are output from the speaker.
The receiving unit may also includes visual indicators such as LEDs or LCD displays to indicates that baby sounds have been received and the radio output is muted.
In the preferred embodiment the receiving unit includes a radio tuner. In alternative embodiments the receiving unit may comprise a TV and other personal entertainment system such as MP3 player, CD player, VCD player, DVD player, MD player, cassette tape player or the like. The muting control mutes the sound output from the TV or personal entertainment system when Baby sounds are detected by the baby sound receiver.
Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or elements have known equivalents then such are included as if individually set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention having been described, however it is understood that variations, improvements or modifications can take place without departure from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.
