Patent Grant
7098785
The present disclosure relates to remote monitoring systems and more specifically to a remote child monitoring system.
Remote child monitoring systems have generally included a transmitter attached to or near a child and a receiver attached to or near the adult or other responsible individual. These systems have included the ability to monitor whether the transmitter and receiver are within range of each other or outside a required range and have also allowed the ability for the receiver to monitor the conditions at the transmitter. In homes, intercom systems have been used to listen, for example, from a kitchen, to a child sleeping in his or her room.
The present remote child monitoring system includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting audio at different frequencies from different locations and at least one receiver remote from the transmitters for receiving and announcing the transmitted audio signal from the plurality of transmitters. The receiver has a first mode for sequentially announcing the transmitted audio from the transmitters and a second mode for announcing the audio from a selected transmitter. The receiver continuously and sequentially announces the transmitted audio from the transmitters in the first mode. More than one receiver may be provided in the system. Also, at least one of the receivers has a transmission mode so as to communicate with the other receiver.
The receiver includes an indication of which transmitter is being announced. It may also include an indication of the level of audio received or being announced. The transmitters and receivers may be portable and include a battery source or a plug for a power outlet.
These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
An example of a remote child monitoring system is illustrated in
The receivers 16, 18 have an indication of which transmitter 10, 12 or 14 is being announced. It may also have an indication of the level of the transmitted or announced signal. Generally, the period of announcement in the sequential process is from 3 to 10 seconds.
Referring to
These panels 32, 34, 36 are illuminated or back lit when its corresponding transmitter is being announced. Each transmitter 10, 12, 14 includes a microphone 102, an antenna 104 in handle 22 and an on/off switch 106. Feet 24 are provided on the bottom.
Each of the transmitters 10, 12, 14 also includes a channel select 110. This allows the transmission frequencies for transmitters 10, 12, 14 to be fA1 or fA2, fB1 or fB2 and fC1 or fC2, respectively. Although the selection of two frequencies are being described, more than two frequencies may be used. When this option is provided, the receivers 16, 18 also include a channel select 146 (see
The receivers 16, 18 include an announcer, shown as a speaker 128, transmitter indicators 32, 34, 36 (150) and a signal level indicator 152. The level indicator 152 indicates the level of the received audio signal being announced. For example, as illustrated as five bars, panels 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 are sequentially and accumulatively lit such that the number of panels lit illustrate the level of the transmitted or received signal. Each of the panels 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 that are backlit may be the same or different colors.
The transmitter indicators 32, 34, 36 may also function as a transmitter select device 142. It may be push buttons or other touch-sensitive devices. A scan select device 52 (140) may also be a push button or other touch-sensitive device.
The receivers 16 and 18 shown in
A schematic or block diagram representation of the electronics is illustrated in
The receivers 16, 18 are also shown having a transceiver 120. They receive their signals from antenna 122. Transceiver 120 transmits a signal at frequency fD, which is received by the other transceiver 120. The various frequency signals received by the transceiver 120 are provided to a multiplex unit 124. The multiplex unit 124 selects one of the frequencies and provides it to the announcer 126, which is shown as having a speaker 128.
As an alternative to the frequency fD from the transceiver 120 being provided through multiplexer 124, it can be provided directly to the announcer 126, as indicated in the dotted line for receiver 16. This would override any of the signals out of the multiplexer 124. Appropriate logic in the announcer 126 can allow the signal fD to override any of the outputs of the multiplexer 124.
A switch 130 is shown as a five-position switch having a terminal 132 connected to sequencer 140. The sequencer 140 has an adjustable timer 144 which determines the period of the sequence. This adjustment may be made at the factory. The transmitter select 142 includes four terminals 133, 134, 135, 136 for the four possible frequency selections, including three from the transmitters 10, 12, 14 and one from the other transceiver 120. Switch 130 moves between the sequencer 132 and one of the individually selected frequency switches 133, 134, 135, 136.
Although a simple switch mechanism is shown, the execution of the schematic representation may be made using any known switch structure. It may include individual switches ganged together or may include independent button switches which make a connection when depressed and a disconnecting connection when up. The switches are interconnected such that only one of which at a time would be depressed. Also, the switching function may be achieved electronically using analog or digital logic. As with the transmitter, the receivers may be a battery, a rechargeable battery or a plug connected to a power outlet.
The announcer 126 also includes the transmitter indicator 150 and the level indicator 152. Transmitter indicator 150, as previously discussed with respect to
A combination on/off volume switch 154 is provided to the announcer 126. Alternatively, a separate on/off switch and volume control may be provided. Power source 156 is connected to the on/off volume switch 154. Transceiver 120 of receiver 16, 18 includes a transmit/receive switch 148. Transceiver 120 include channel selector 146, which, as previously described, pick one of the transmitting channels for each of the transmitters 10, 12, 14.
Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is done by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The scope of the present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
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