Claims:I/We claim:
1. A smart cradle (100) comprising:
a cradle body (102) configured to accommodate a baby;
one or more sensors coupled to the cradle body (102), the one or more sensors having a first sensor (112), a second sensor (114), and a third sensor (116), 5 wherein the first sensor (112) is configured to detect presence of the baby in the cradle body (102) and activate remaining sensors of the one or more sensors, based on the detection;
an image capturing device (104) coupled to the cradle body (102) to capture an image of the baby; 10
a swing motor (106) coupled to the cradle body (102); and
at least one control unit (108) coupled to the cradle body (102), the one or more sensors, the image capturing device (104), and the swing motor (106), wherein the at least one control unit (108) is configured to:
receive inputs from the one or more sensors and the image capturing 15 device (104);
process the received inputs; and
send a command to the swing motor (106), wherein the swing motor (106) is configured to swing the cradle body (102) in a preloaded swing pattern.
2. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inputs include at least 20 the image received from the image capturing device (104), and processing the received inputs includes determining, through position coordinates of the baby’s eye, a level of opening of the baby’s eye is more than a predefined level.
3. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the predefined level is selected from the range of value from 15-40 percent of the maximum opening of the 25 baby’s eye.
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3. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preloaded swing pattern is based at least on a speed and a frequency of swinging of the cradle body (102).
4. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one control unit (108) is coupled to a communication unit (120) to send an alert message to a user 5 device (122).
5. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first sensor (112) is an infrared sensor configured to detect the presence of the baby in the cradle body (102) and the at least one control unit (108) sends the alert message to the user device (122) when presence of the baby in the cradle body (102) is not detected by the first 10 sensor (112).
6. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second sensor (114) is an audio sensor configured to detect an inappropriate sound in proximity to the baby and the at least one control unit (108) sends the alert message to the user device (122) when the inappropriate sound is at least a sound associated with the baby’s 15 cry and nearby surroundings.
7. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one control unit (108) is coupled to an audio output unit (118), and the at least one control unit (108) is configured to generate and transmit a play signal to the audio output unit (118) to play a pre-stored audio, when the inappropriate sound is the sound associated with 20 the baby’s cry, wherein the pre-stored audio is selected from the group of sounds including music, a parent’s sound, an animal sound, and a sound that baby likes.
8. The smart cradle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third sensor (116) is an infrared body temperature sensor configured to measure a body temperature of the baby and the at least one control unit (108) sends the alert message to the user 25 device (122) when the measured body temperature of the baby exceeds a predefined body temperature value, wherein the predefined body temperature value is chosen from a range of temperature values from 97 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Dated this 17th Day of September, 2021
Manisha (IN-PA/3953)
Agent for Applicant , Description:1
FORM – 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
A SMART CRADLE
Applicants: 1. Kumar Neeraj
Asst. Professor Department of ECE, Anurag Group of Institutions, Hyderabad,
Telangana-500088, India.
2. Dr Amit Goel
Flat No: 357, Platinum Heights Apartment, Sector 18B, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110078, India
Inventors: 1. Kumar Neeraj
2. Dr Amit Goel
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
2
A SMART CRADLE
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This invention generally relates to a cradle, and is more particularly related to a smart cradle. 5
BACKGROUND
[0002] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the 10 subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
[0003] A cradle is a baby’s bed or cot, typically mounted on rockers, used to soothe 15 and to make the baby sleep. When the baby is kept inside the cradle, a parent is required to physically rock the cradle to generate a swinging motion which is difficult for the parent to do all the time and if the parent takes the help of a babysitter for rocking the cradle then also the parent keeps thinking about the baby’s safety. Further, the sleeping hours of the baby are unpredictable yet crucial. It is the 20 foremost concern for a parent that the baby gets uninterrupted sleep. Often, parents scarify their normal sleeping hours at night to ensure the baby does not wake up and therefore rock the cradle and sing lullabies when the baby wakes up until the baby goes back to sleep.
[0004] Further, if both the parents are working then taking care of the baby even 25 becomes more difficult. As both parents are busy in their professional life and therefore cannot keep an eye on their baby all the time and it becomes even hard after long working hours. Specifically, in India where both parents go to work and also take care of the baby on their own, which causes more workload on them.
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Sometimes it is impossible for them to take care of their baby on their own and hire a caretaker. In that scenario, they keep their baby in daycare during working hours, yet they always worry about the well-being of the baby.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for such a baby cradle that bridges the gap between parents and baby. There are numerous prior arts that disclose smart cradles for 5 bridging the gap between parents and baby.
[0006] Rajat et al, 2017 discloses a smart cradle gear to ensure the safety of a baby in a cradle. Further, the smart cradle gear is such that it fits most of the common cradles or cribs. The smart cradle includes sensors to detect baby's activities and alarm their parents. 10
[0007] Aniruddha et al, 2018 discloses a smart baby cradle. Further, the smart baby cradle includes an Arduino microcontroller to assemble all the sensors and hardware components. The smart baby cradle further has a smart lighting system controlled through the baby crying measurement. Further, the smart baby cradle has a camera facility and a smartphone application and also does baby weight and body 15 temperature monitoring.
[0008] IN 201731015061 discloses an automatic swing baby cradle and stroller 2 in 1 combination. Further, IN 201731015061 includes an electromagnetic type swing device operated on the repulsive force generated in the electromagnet which pushes the permanent magnet installed in the backside of the cradle. Further, IN 20 201731015061 provides the ventilated baby seat with mosquito protecting net.
[0009] However, none of the prior arts provide a completely safe yet inexpensive and easy to use cradle. Further, all the existing cradles do not provide the essential features such as security, health monitoring, and uninterrupted sleep of the baby. Therefore, there is a need for an improved baby cradle that can overcome the 25 aforementioned drawbacks.
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OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an objective of the invention to provide a smart cradle that comforts a crying baby.
[0011] It is another objective of the invention to detect the presence of the baby in the cradle. 5
[0012] It is yet another objective of the invention to swing the cradle automatically in a preloaded swing pattern when the baby tries to wake up.
[0013] It is yet another objective of the invention to play automatic preloaded music or a parent’s voice when the baby is crying.
[0014] It is yet another objective of the invention to provide the smart cradle which 10 is cost-effective, easy to use, and consumes less power.
[0015] It is yet another objective of the invention is to provide the smart cradle that can be remotely accessible and can be easily automated as per requirement.
SUMMARY 15
[0016] According to an aspect, the present embodiments disclose a smart cradle. The smart cradle includes a cradle body to accommodate a baby. Further, the smart cradle includes one or more sensors coupled to the cradle body. The one or more sensors having a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor. Additionally, the first sensor is configured to detect presence of the baby in the cradle body and 20 activate remaining sensors of the one or more sensors. The smart cradle further includes an image capturing device coupled to the cradle body to capture an image of the baby. The smart cradle further includes a swing motor coupled to the cradle body. The smart cradle further includes at least one control unit coupled to the cradle body, the one or more sensors, the image capturing device, and the swing motor. 25 The at least one control unit is configured to receive inputs from the one or more sensors and the image capturing device. The inputs include atleast the image received from the image capturing device. The at least one control unit is further
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configured to process the received inputs. Further, the at least one control unit is configured to send a command to the swing motor. The swing motor is configured to swing the cradle body in a preloaded swing pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5
[0017] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as 10 multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the 15 figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a smart cradle (100), according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a system architecture (200) of the smart cradle (100), according to an embodiment. 20
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart showing a method (300) of operation of the smart cradle (100), according to an embodiment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant 5 to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0022] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent 10 to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example 15 embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a smart cradle (100) is disclosed, according 20 to an embodiment. The smart cradle (100) hereinafter is referred to as a cradle (100). The cradle (100) may include a cradle body (102) to accommodate a baby, one or more sensors, an image capturing device (104), a swing motor (106) and at least one control circuitry (108). In one embodiment, at least one control unit (108) may be coupled to the cradle body (102), the one or more sensors, the image capturing 25 device (104), and the swing motor (106).
[0025] The one or more sensors may include a first sensor (112), a second sensor (114), and a third sensor (116). Further, the first sensor (112) may be an infrared
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sensor for detecting the presence of the baby in the cradle body (102). In an example, when a warm body like a human comes in the path of the infrared radiation, the warm body may first intercept one half of the first sensor (112) causing a positive differential change between two halves of the first sensor (112) enabling the first sensor (112) to detect the presence of the baby in the cradle body (102). Further, the 5 first sensor (112) may be configured to activate remaining sensors of the one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the first sensor (112), may activate the remaining sensors of the one or more sensors through the at least one control unit (108), therefore, in the absence of the baby inside the cradle body (102), the remaining sensors of the one or more sensors may not work and this may result in saving 10 energy and increase in power efficiency. In one case, the first sensor (112) may be installed on at least one edge of the cradle body (102). In another case, the first sensor (112) may be disposed at any other place on the cradle body (102) as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0026] Further, the second sensor (114) may be an audio sensor for detecting an 15 inappropriate sound in proximity to the baby. Further, the inappropriate sound may include, but is not limited to, sound of baby’s cry, sound of a nearby person, sound of a nearby animals, and other surrounding sounds. In one embodiment, LM393 IC may be used as an audio sensor for detecting the sound in proximity to the baby. In one case, the second sensor (114) may be installed on at least one edge of the cradle 20 body (102). In another case, the second sensor (114) may be disposed at any other place on the cradle body (102) as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0027] Further, the third sensor (116) may be an infrared body temperature sensor for detecting a body temperature of the baby in the cradle body (102). In one case, 25 the third sensor (116) may be installed on at least one edge of the cradle body (102). In another case, the third sensor (116) may be disposed at any other place on the cradle body (102) as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Essentially, a contactless temperature sensor may be used to monitor the baby’s
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temperature and any change in the temperature may immediately be notified to the caretaker, parents and also updated in the baby’s hospital records.
[0028] Further, the image capturing device (104) may be coupled to the cradle body (102) to capture an image of the baby, present inside the cradle body (102). In one embodiment, the image capturing device (104) may facilitate the user to monitor the 5 activities of the baby, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one case, the image capturing device (104) may be installed on at least one edge of the cradle body (102). In another case, the image capturing device (104) may be disposed at any other place on the cradle body (102) as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the image capturing device (104) 10 may be a digital camera, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) camera for obtaining the image of the baby present inside the cradle body (102), detecting a face and eyes in the image and determining the position coordinates of the baby’s eye. Further, the image capturing device (104) may include a CCD or CMOS or any other suitable sensor, a storage device, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit may be configured 15 for locating the baby’s eyes in the image and framing an outline of the opening of eyelids, as explained in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[0029] At first, the detecting unit may receive an image, at step 302. The image may correspond to a baby’s image i.e. an image having a baby in it. Further, the detecting unit may locate the baby’s eye in the image and generate an enhanced eye image, at 20 step 304. Further, the detecting unit may generate a binary image of the baby’s eye, at step 306. In order to generate the binary image of the baby’s eye, the detection unit may process the enhanced eye image using an image processing technique. It should be noted that the binary image of the eye may include at least a plurality of sample points on the edges of the baby’s eye. Further, the detecting unit may process 25 the plurality of sampled points present on the edges of the baby’s eye in order to generate an outline of the opening of the eyelids of the baby’s eye, at step 308. Thereafter, the detecting unit may calculate a smallest rectangle framing the outline of the opening of the eyelids, at step 310. It should be noted that the smallest
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rectangle may have position coordinates such as a height and a width of the rectangle framing the outline of the opening of the eyelids.
[0030] Further, the swing motor (106) may be coupled to the cradle body (102) and may be configured to swing the cradle body (102). In one case, the swing motor (106) may be a servo motor installed below the cradle body (102). In another case, 5 the swing motor (106) may be any other motor disposed at any other places of the cradle body (102) as well, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It should be noted that a servomotor may be a rotary actuator or linear actuator that allows precise control of angular or linear position, velocity and acceleration. Further, the swing motor (106) may consist of a suitable motor coupled to the at 10 least one control unit (108) for position feedback.
[0031] Further, the at least one control unit (108) may be configured to receive the inputs from the one or more sensors and image capturing device (104). In one embodiment, the at least one control unit (108) may include one or more processor(s). The one or more processor(s) may be implemented as one or more 15 microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. In one embodiment, the at least one control unit (108) may include but not limited to a microprocessor, for example, a RaspberryPi. In another embodiment, the at least one control unit (108) may include more than 20 one microprocessors as well. For example, a first microprocessor may be a RaspberryPi and a second microprocessor may be other than RaspberryPi. Further, it should be noted that the microprocessor may include a central processing unit only and uses an external bus to interface to a memory (110).
[0032] Further, the memory (110) may be configured to store the swing pattern for 25 swinging the cradle body (102). It should be noted that the swing pattern may include at least a speed and a frequency of swinging the cradle body (102). Further, the memory (110) may also store a predefined level of opening of the baby’s eye. It should be noted that the parent may define the predefined level of opening of the
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baby’s eye according to their requirement. Further, the memory (110) may store a pre-defined body temperature value. Further, the pre-defined body temperature value may be selected from a range of temperature value from 97 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Further, the memory (110) may also store the audio such as, but not limited to, music, a parent’s sound, an animal sound, and a sound that baby likes. It 5 should be noted that the parent may store the audio according to their requirement. The memory (110) may store a set of instructions and data. Further, the memory (110) may include the one or more instructions that are executable by the processor to perform specific operations. Some of the commonly known memory implementations may include, but are not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic 10 tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, Compact Disc Read-Only Memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, Random Access Memories (RAMs), Programmable Read-Only Memories (PROMs), Erasable PROMs (EPROMs), Electrically Erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other types of 15 media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.
[0033] Further, the audio output unit (118) may be coupled to the at least one control unit (108) and may be configured to play an audio stored in the memory (110) in response to the play signal generated and transmitted by the at least one control unit (108) when the baby is crying in the cradle body (102). 20
[0034] Further, the communication unit (120) may be coupled to the at least one control unit (108) and may be configured to send an alert message to a user device (122) when, but is not limited to, the presence of the baby in the cradle body (102) is not detected by the first sensor (112), the inappropriate sound is at least a sound associated with the baby’s cry and nearby surroundings, and the measured body 25 temperature of the baby exceeds the predefined body temperature value.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart showing a method (400) for operation of the smart cradle (100) is disclosed, according to an embodiment. The flow chart of FIG. 4 is explained in conjunction with the elements disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
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[0036] The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows the architecture, functionality, and operation of the cradle (100). In this regard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the 5 order noted in the drawings. For example, two blocks shown in succession in FIG. 4 may be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Any process descriptions or blocks in flowcharts should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable 10 instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the example embodiments in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. In addition, the process descriptions or blocks in flow charts 15 should be understood as representing decisions made by a hardware structure such as a state machine. The flowchart starts at the step (402) and proceeds to step (410).
[0037] At first, the at least one control unit (108) may receive a first signal from the first sensor (112), at step 402. The first signal may be related to detection of presence of the baby in the cradle body (102). Upon receiving the first signal from the first 20 sensor (112), a command may be sent to activate the remaining sensors of the one or more sensors, at step 404. It should be noted that the absence of the baby in the cradle body (102) may result in non-working of the remaining sensors of the one or more sensors.
[0038] Successively, the at least one control unit (108) may receive a second input 25 from the image capturing device (104), at step 406. It should be noted that the at least one control unit (108) may receive an image having parameters including, but not limited to, position coordinates of the baby’s eye. Successively, upon receiving the second input from the image capturing device (104), the at least one control unit (108) may determine whether a level of opening of the baby’s eye is more than the 30
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predefined level, at step 408. It should be noted that in order to determine whether a level of opening of the baby’s eye is more than the predefined level, the at least one control unit (108) may compare the received parameters such as position coordinates of the baby’s eye with a predefined level. In one case, if the level of opening of the baby’s eye is greater than the predefined level, the baby is not asleep. 5 In another case, if the level of opening of the baby’s eye is less than or equal to the predefined level, the baby is asleep. In one embodiment, the predefined level may be selected from a range of values from 15-40 percent of the maximum opening of the baby’s eye, based on the average level of the baby’s eye when he is awake. In one case, a smart system using Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to select the 10 pre-defined level based on recorded data of the baby’s eye level pattern when the baby is awake, sleeping, just wakes up, happy, sad, crying, laughing, smiling, eating, etc. In another case, the predefined level may be selected as per the parent’s requirement or based on the baby’s behaviour, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It should be noted that at least one control unit (108) may be 15 programmed to determine the level of opening of the baby’s eye based on the position coordinates disclosed in the image captured by the image capturing device (104), without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0039] In one additional embodiment, the at least one control unit (108) may be configured to monitor a rate of blinking of the baby’s eye based on the received 20 second input from the image capturing device (104) such as the position coordinates of the baby’s eye. It should be noted that the second input maybe a video. Further, the at least one control unit (108) may determine whether the rate of blinking of the baby’s eye is more than a predefined level. In one case, if the rate of blinking is greater than the predefined level, the baby is not asleep. In another case, if the rate 25 of blinking is less than or equal to the predefined level, the baby is asleep. In one preferred embodiment, the predefined level may be selected from a range of values from 15-20 times/minute.
[0040] Thereafter, the at least one control unit (108) may send a command to the swing motor (106) to swing the cradle body (102) in a preloaded swing pattern, at 30
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step 410. It should be noted that the swing pattern may already be stored in the memory (110) and may be based at least on the speed and the frequency of swinging of the cradle body (102).
[0041] In an exemplary scenario, the communication unit (120) may send the live video of the baby present in the cradle body (102) to the user device (122). Further, 5 the user may be allowed to control the swinging pattern of the cradle body using the user device (122) to make the baby sleep as per the requirements. Further, the user may be allowed to control the audio output unit (118) to play pre-stored audio in the memory (110) using the user device (122) to soothe the baby.
[0042] It has thus been seen that the cradle (100) according to the present invention 10 achieves the purposes highlighted earlier. The cradle (100) in any case could undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which are covered by the same innovative concept; moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the components used, as well as the numbers, shapes, and sizes of the components can be whatever according to the technical 15 requirements. The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the attached claims.
Dated this 17th Day of September, 2021 Manisha (IN-PA/3953) 20 Agent for Applicant