Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a baby crib and particularly to a controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques.
Description of Related Art
[002] A crib is a specialized bed designed specifically for infants and young children to provide them with a safe and comfortable sleeping environment. The crib serves as a secure space where babies can rest and sleep peacefully, offering protection from potential hazards and ensuring they remain stationary during sleep. A design of a crib typically features high sides to prevent the baby from rolling out and sturdy construction to support the weight of the child. A mattress within the crib provides a supportive yet soft surface for the baby to lie on comfortably.
[003] The usage of a crib extends beyond merely providing a place for the baby to sleep. It also serves as a convenient space for caregivers to attend to the baby's needs, such as feeding, changing diapers, and comforting them when they wake up. Additionally, cribs offer a designated area for babies to play safely under supervision, allowing them to engage in activities that promote their physical and cognitive development. However, challenges persist with traditional baby cribs, particularly in meeting the evolving needs of modern parents. The lack of advanced features for monitoring the baby's well-being and providing real-time feedback presents a notable limitation. Without these capabilities, caregivers can experience difficulty in ensuring the baby's comfort and safety, especially during periods of sleep. Moreover, the reliance on manual rocking or separate devices for soothing the baby can be cumbersome and time-consuming, adding to the challenges faced by caregivers. As such, there is a growing demand for smart baby products that integrate wireless communication and sensing technologies to offer enhanced functionality and convenience.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques. The controller device comprising: a load sensor adapted to continuously measure a weight of a baby present in the smart baby crib. The load sensor is integrated with a signal amplifier to amplify the measured weight of the baby to detect variations in the measured weight with an actual baby weight. The controller device further comprising: a sound sensor configured to capture a sound of the baby. The controller device further comprising: a processor connected to the load sensor, a signal amplifier, and the sound sensor. The processor is configured to: receive the measured weight of the baby from the load sensor and the captured audio from the sound sensor; detect the presence of the baby in the smart baby crib by analyzing the received weight of the baby; detect a crying sound of the baby by analyzing the received sound of the baby; actuate servo motors arranged in the smart baby crib for rocking the smart baby crib based on the detected presence and the detected crying sound of the baby; and activate a communication unit to transmit real-time data of the baby to one or both of a cloud platform for analyzing a well-being of the baby, and a user device.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for operating a controller device in a smart baby crib. The method comprising steps of: receiving a measured weight of a baby from a load sensor and a captured audio from a sound sensor; detecting a presence of the baby in the smart baby crib by analyzing the received weight of the baby; detecting a crying sound of the baby by analyzing the received sound of the baby; actuating servo motors arranged in the smart baby crib for rocking the smart baby crib based on the detected presence and the detected crying sound of the baby; and activating a communication unit to transmit real-time data of the baby to one or both of a cloud platform for analyzing a well-being of the baby, and a user device.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a controller device that can be easily integrated into existing cribs and manual rockers designated for babies and toddlers.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques that are compatible with existing commercially available cradles and cribs.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques that are toddler-friendly.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller device for a smart baby crib, employing wireless and sensing techniques, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the smart baby crib with the controller device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a processor of the controller device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for operating a controller device in the smart baby crib, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a controller device 100 for a smart baby crib 200 (as shown in the FIG. 2), employing wireless and sensing techniques, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller device 100 may be adapted to soothe a baby in the crib. The controller device 100 may soothe the baby by gently rocking the crib, a show of toys to the baby, and so forth, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller device 100 may comprise a sensor node 102. The sensor node 102 may comprise a load sensor 104, a signal amplifier 106, and a sound sensor 108. The controller device 100 may further comprise a processor 110, servo motors 112, a communication unit 114, a cloud platform 116, and a user device 118. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor node 102 may comprise the load sensor 104, the signal amplifier 106, and the sound sensor 108.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the load sensor 104 may be adapted to continuously measure a weight of the baby present in the smart baby crib 200. The load sensor 104 may be integrated with the signal amplifier 106 to amplify the measured weight of the baby to detect variations in the measured weight with an actual baby weight, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signal amplifier 106 may be an HX711.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sound sensor 108 may be configured to capture a sound of the baby. The sound sensor 108 may be strategically positioned within the smart baby crib 200 to effectively detect and analyze sounds emitted by the baby. Additionally, the sound sensor 108 may be equipped with advanced signal processing capabilities to accurately differentiate between various types of sounds, such as crying, babbling, or laughter, enabling it to respond appropriately to the baby's needs. Furthermore, the sound sensor 108 may be integrated with the controller device 100 to facilitate real-time monitoring and analysis of baby's auditory cues.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may be connected to the load sensor 104, the signal amplifier 106, and the sound sensor 108. The processor 110 may further be configured to analyze the received sound of the baby by using a set of training data, in an embodiment of the present invention. The processor 110 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the controller device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processor 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may be an Arduino. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 3.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the servo motors 112 may be adapted to rock the smart baby crib 200. The servo motors 112 may adjust the rocking of the smart baby crib 200 based on a duration or an intensity of the detected crying sound of the baby received from the sound sensor 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the servo motors 112 may further be adapted to actuate a toy 202 (as shown in the FIG. 2) arranged in the smart baby crib 200 based on the duration or the intensity of the detected crying sound of the baby received from the sound sensor 108.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 114 may be adapted to transmit real-time data of the baby to the cloud platform 116 and the user device 118 for analyzing a well-being of the baby. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 114 may be an Espressif 8266 Wi-Fi module. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any other communication unit 114 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] The cloud platform 116 may be configured to display the analyzed real-time data of the baby through a web service 120 to the user device 118, in an embodiment of the present invention. The real-time data of the baby may be selected from the detected crying sound of the baby, the measured weight of the baby, a rocking time or instances, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the real-time data including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates the smart baby crib 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As used herein the term ‘smart baby crib 200’ may be used to encompass a baby nursery or gear product, including but not limited to a baby crib, a baby cradle, a chair, a rocker, a bassinet, or any other similar device designed to provide a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for infants and young children. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the baby nursery or gear product, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the smart baby crib 200 may be installed with the controller device 100. The controller device 100 may be factory-fitted into the smart baby crib 200, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the controller device 100 may be retrofitted by a user on the smart baby crib 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the toy 202 may be a rotating hanger toy, a musical toy, a lighting toy, or any other interactive toy designed to stimulate the baby's senses and promote engagement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the toy 202 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the processor 110 of the controller device 100 for the smart baby crib 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processor 110 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 300, a data detection module 302, an actuation module 304, and an activation module 306.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 300 may be configured to receive the measured weight of the baby from the load sensor 104 and the captured audio from the sound sensor 108. The measured weight of the baby and the captured audio may further be transmitted to the data detection module 302, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data detection module 302 may be activated upon receipt of the measured weight of the baby and the captured audio from the data receiving module 300. The data detection module 302 may be configured to detect the presence of the baby in the smart baby crib 200 by analyzing the received weight of the baby, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data detection module 302 may further be configured to detect the crying sound of the baby by analyzing the received sound of the baby.
[0035] Further, the data detection module 302 may transmit an activation signal to the actuation module 304 upon detecting the crying sound based on the analyzed sound of the baby. Otherwise, the data detection module 302 may reactivate the data receiving module 300 continuing receiving the measured weight of the baby from the load sensor 104 and the captured audio from the sound sensor 108.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 304 may be activated upon receipt of the activation signal from the data detection module 302. The actuation module 304 may be configured to actuate the servo motors 112 arranged in the smart baby crib 200 for rocking the smart baby crib 200 based on the detected presence and the detected crying sound of the baby, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation module 306 may be configured to activate the communication unit 114 to transmit the real-time data of the baby to the cloud platform 116 and the user device 118 for analyzing the well-being of the baby.
[0038] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method 400 for operating the controller device 100 in the smart baby crib 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] At step 402, the controller device 100 may receive the measured weight of the baby from the load sensor 104 and the captured audio from the sound sensor 108.
[0040] At step 404, the controller device 100 may detect the presence of the baby in the smart baby crib 200 by analyzing the received weight of the baby. If the baby is present in the smart baby crib 200, then the method 400 may proceed to a step 406. Otherwise, the method 400 may revert to the step 402.
[0041] At step 406, the controller device 100 may detect the crying sound of the baby by analyzing the received sound of the baby. If the baby may be crying in the smart baby crib 200, then the method 400 may proceed to a step 408. Else, the method 400 may revert to the step 402.
[0042] At step 408, the controller device 100 may actuate the servo motors 112 arranged in the smart baby crib 200 for rocking the smart baby crib 200.
[0043] At step 410, the controller device 100 may activate the communication unit 114 to transmit the real-time data of the baby to the cloud platform 116 and the user device 118 for analyzing the well-being of the baby.
[0044] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0045] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A controller device (100) for a smart baby crib (200), employing wireless and sensing techniques, the controller device (100) comprising:
a load sensor (104) adapted to continuously measure a weight of a baby present in the smart baby crib (200), wherein the load sensor (104) is integrated with a signal amplifier (106) to amplify the measured weight of the baby to detect variations in the measured weight with an actual baby weight;
a sound sensor (108) configured to capture a sound of the baby; and
a processor (110) connected to the load sensor (104), a signal amplifier (106), and the sound sensor (108), and characterized in that the processor (110) is configured to:
receive the measured weight of the baby from the load sensor (104) and the captured audio from the sound sensor (108);
detect the presence of the baby in the smart baby crib (200) by analyzing the received weight of the baby;
detect a crying sound of the baby by analyzing the received sound of the baby;
actuate servo motors (112) arranged in the smart baby crib (200) for rocking the smart baby crib (200) based on the detected presence and the detected crying sound of the baby; and
activate a communication unit (114) to transmit real-time data of the baby to one or both of a cloud platform (116) for analyzing a well-being of the baby, and a user device (118).
2. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor (110) is configured to analyze the received sound of the baby by using a set of training data.
3. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the real-time data of the baby is selected from the detected crying sound of the baby, the measured weight of the baby, a rocking time or instances, or a combination thereof.
4. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor (110) is an Arduino.
5. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal amplifier (106) is an HX711.
6. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor (110) is configured to adjust the rocking of the smart baby crib (200) by transmitting signals to the servo motors (112) based on a duration or an intensity of the detected crying sound of the baby.
7. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor (110) is configured to actuate a toy (202) arranged in the smart baby crib (200) based on a duration or an intensity of the detected crying sound of the baby.
8. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit (114) is an Espressif 8266 Wi-Fi module.
9. The controller device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud platform (116) is configured to display the analyzed real-time data of the baby through a web service to the user device (118).
10. A method (400) for operating a controller device (100) in a smart baby crib (200), wherein the method (400) is characterized by steps of:
receiving a measured weight of a baby from a load sensor (104) and a captured audio from a sound sensor (108);
detecting a presence of the baby in the smart baby crib (200) by analyzing the received weight of the baby;
detecting a crying sound of the baby by analyzing the received sound of the baby;
actuating servo motors (112) arranged in the smart baby crib (200) for rocking the smart baby crib (200) based on the detected presence and the detected crying sound of the baby; and
activating a communication unit (114) to transmit real-time data of the baby to one or both of a cloud platform (116) for analyzing a well-being of the baby, and a user device (118).
Date: May 24, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)