WO2004095396A1

WO2004095396A1 - Toddler/child training monitor

Info

Publication number: WO2004095396A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/001678
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Gooch
Original assignee: Jackel International Limited
Priority date: 2003-04-17
Filing date: 2004-04-16
Publication date: 2004-11-04
Also published as: GB0308846D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a child training monitor. The training monitor comprises a child unit, arranged to be worn by a child, and a parent unit. The child unit comprises a radio transmitter for transmitting proximity signals to a radio receiver, present in the parent unit. The parent unit also comprises an alarm generation unit for generating an alarm when the distance between the child and parent units is greater than a threshold value. The training monitor includes a selector for selecting from at least two different values of threshold distance.

Description

Toddler/Child Training Monitor

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toddler/child training monitor for use in monitoring a child and its proximity to a parent unit with a means for alerting the child to come home and providing an alarm when the child is separated from the parent unit by a distance over a threshold amount.

Every parent is aware of the number of potential dangers for a young child and a parent needs the reassurance of knowing that their child is safe and nearby. This is never more important than when the child reaches toddler age. The ability to monitor a child at all times is desirable and many parents do not let their children out of their sight.

At the same time there are worries that children cannot be trained to be independent, not to wander off and. to return to a parent when called. Unless a child can be given the responsibility to go some distance from the parent it will be difficult ,for them to learn to take responsibility for themselves >

There have been numerous proximity alarms which have been proposed which comprise a child unit which is carried or worn by the child and a parent unit which stays with the parent. Signals passing between the child unit and the parent unit provide an alarm if the child has strayed beyond a threshold distance from the parent unit. Some such units are very sophisticated, incorporating GPS transmitters and receivers. The problem with such a system is that the monitoring device is very expensive putting it out of the reach of most parents. Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a child training monitor comprising a child unit arranged to be worn by a child and including a child radio transmitter for transmitting at regular intervals a proximity signal, and a parent unit including a parent radio receiver for receiving proximity signals from the child radio transmitter and being coupled to alarm generation means such-that if the distance between the child unit and parent unit is over a threshold value an alarm signal is generated, in which the training monitor includes a selection means whereby a parent can select from at least two different values of threshold distance whereby the parent can increase or decrease threshold distance dependent upon the age and experience of the child.

Thus a parent may set the threshold value to be at a low distance for a toddler. The distance may be increased for a child who is slightly older to allow for example the child to play in the garden next door.

The alarm generation means on the parent. unit may be a visual, audible or vibration alarm or a combination of two or more of these signals .

Typically each threshold distance is equivalent to a particular power of signal generated by the child unit., Thus if the child is within the threshold distance, the parent unit receives a signal, and outside the threshold distance does not receive a signal. Thus the absence of a signal received operates the alarm generation- means.

The parent unit needs to be kept close to the parent and thus is preferably small, lightweight and mobile. Since both the child unit and the parent unit are portable, they need to be battery driven. Preferably each unit includes recharging means for recharging the battery. Preferably the parent unit also includes a parent radio transmitter and the child unit includes a child radio receiver and the parent unit includes a button to select to transmit a signal to the child radio receiver which is coupled to a response device which may be a vibration alarm, an audible alarm, a light or a combination of two or three of these, indicating to the child that the parent is contacting them. Typically this may be a "Come Home" LED.

This enhances the training effectiveness of the monitor. The child may be allowed, for example, to play with friends at a given location for a set amount of time. If during this time the child strays from the given location (for example a garden) - this will generate an alarm at the parent unit. If the parent can in fact see the child (for example from a window) and can check that they are merely disobeying rules rather than being in immediate danger - the parent ,can depress the "Come Home" button to alert the child. If they return to the required location the parent may then reset the button - to stop the alert. However if left on the child has to return home. Similarly, if a child is due to return home after a set time - the parent can remind him or her that they now need to return.

Preferably the "Come Home" LED and the alarm mode selected by the parent can only be re-set by the parent unit.

The parent unit may conveniently be arranged to include a timer mechanism. Thus if the parent allows the child to go for a present time - the timer mechanism can be set to provide a reminder to the parent that * the child is now due to return.

The parent needs to know that the child has received the Come Home signal. Preferably the child radio receiver is coupled to the child radio transmitter, such that a signal received by the child radio receiver causes a signal to be transmitted to the parent radio receiver, which indicates that^" the Come Home signal has been received. In this case preferably the parent unit includes a message confirmation indicator. Conveniently the signal received at the child unit modulates the signal transmitted by the child radio transmitter for a short period which modulation is recognised at the parent radio receiver.

Preferably the child unit is arranged such that signals are transmitted to be sent to the parent unit at regular intervals, such as every five seconds while the watch is worn. The parent unit is arranged such that a signal received operates a reassuring tone generator such that if the child is within the set threshold distance a reassuring beep is emitted at the parent unit. This keeps the parent reassured that the system is working and that the child unit is still emitting signals.

Preferably the unit also includes means to detect that the power in the battery of the child unit is running low and to generate an alarm signal at the parent unit.

The parent unit may be arranged to monitor signals from more than one child unit. In such case the parent until will include a plurality of receiving channels, and each cooperating child unit will include means to select the channel for that unit.

The signals generated will -typically be a high frequency radio signal •similar to those used with walkie-talkie apparatus.

Preferably the child unit includes an integral watch unit and is to be worn on the wrist so that the child is happy to wear the unit. Preferably the watch unit includes a micro switch sensing if the watch is being worn so that an alarm signal can be generated if the watch unit is removed. Preferably the unit also includes a water sensor to provide an alarm if the child falls into water. Preferably the system is also arranged such that the child unit includes a selectable panic button which can be activated by the ^" child to generate an alarm signal with the parent. Each of these scenarios causes the signal emitted by the child unit to be interrupted - which thus causes the generation of an alarm.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of a training monitor in accordance with the invention will be now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the child unit; Figure 3 is a view of the rear face of the child unit; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the parent unit

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

A child training monitor 1 comprises a child unit 3 arranged to be worn by a child and including a child radio transmitter 5 for transmitting at regular intervals a proximity signal 7, and a parent unit 9 including a parent radio receiver 11 for receiving proximity signals 7 from the child radio transmitter 5 and being coupled to alarm generation means 15 such * that if the distance between the child unit 3 and the parent unit 9 is over threshold value an alarm signal is generated. The child training monitor 1 (in this case in the child unit 3) includes selection means 17 whereby a parent can select from at least two different values of threshold distance whereby the parent can increase or decrease threshold distance dependent upon age and experience of the child.

The child unit 3 is arranged such that signals are transmitted- every five seconds. The parent radio receiver 11 is also coupled to a reassuring tone generator 19 such that if the child is within the set threshold distance a reassuring beep is emitted at the parent unit 9 every five seconds. This keeps the parent reassured that the system is working and that the child unit 3 is still emitting signals.

If the signal from the child unit 3 does not reach the parent unit 11 because the child unit 3 is out of range (i.e. beyond the threshold distance) the alarm generation means 15 operates.

The parent unit 9 also includes a parent radio transmitter 21 and the child unit includes a child radio receiver 23 with the parent unit including a button 25 to select to transmit a signal 20 to the child receiving 23 which is coupled to a response device 27 in this case a "Come Home" LED to indicate to the child that the parent is contacting them. This can also be accompanied by an audible and/or vibration alarm.

The child unit 3 has an integral watch unit 29, with the watch strap 30 acting as an antennae. The child is happy to wear the unit. The watch includes a micro switch 31 which senses if the watch is being worn. The micro switch 31 is coupled to the child radio transmitter 5 to interrupt the signal transmission by the child radio transmitter if the watch unit 29 is removed. The unit also includes a water sensor 35 also coupled to the ^% transmitter 5 to interrupt transmission if the child falls into water. The system is also arranged to include a panic button 37 which can be activated by the child to interrupt transmission and thus generate an alarm signal with the parent. As can be seen from Figure 2, the "Come Home" LED 27 is a clear ^" message to the child if the parent is trying to contact them

The child unit includes a distance threshold selection switch 39 which allows the parent to select ΗF or 'LO' ( representing high and low powers respectively) powered signals to be transmitted by the child radio transmitter 5. When 'LO' has been selected, the child may only be able to transmit signals receivable by the parent unit at relatively close distances. If 'HI' is selected - for an older and more experienced child, the distance is increased.

The child unit also includes a recharging socket 41 whereby the batteries within can be recharged with a power on/low battery check LED 43 which will be noticed by a parent when putting the watch on to the child.

The unit also includes a channel selector switch 45 which allows the parent unit 9 to be multi-channelled to receive signals from a number of children. In this case the system has two channels A and B whereby the parent can monitor two children. The parent unit is illustrated in Figure 4 and it is clear that this is readily portable including antennae 47 within which is mounted receiver 11 and transmitter 21. In this case the parent unit 9 includes two channels whereby two children can be monitored. The unit includes two channel selector switches 49 two call switches 25 and two reset switches 51. The parent unit also includes a recharging socket 53 to allow the batteries within to be recharged. A dial 55 is mounted at the side of the unit to allow for the volume of the reassuring tone to be ^% increased or reduced. The reassuring tone and the alarm signal are both emitted through loudspeaker 57. The unit includes an LED 59 to indicate that the battery needs recharging for the parent unit. The operation of the unit is such that when the child radio transmitter 5 is emitting signals 7 to the receiver 11 the LEDs 61 are illuminated Green and at five second intervals a reassuring tone is generated by 15 and transmitted through the loudspeaker 57. Should the child transmitter signal no longer be received by the parent unit, an alarm signal will be generated and the LEDs 61 will . illuminate Red

The monitor also includes means whereby the parent knows that a Come Home signal has been received. Operation of the Come Home button 25 causes the transmission of a signal by radio transmitter 21 which is received by child radio receiver 23. This radio receiver 23 is also coupled to radio transmitter 5 to modulate the regular signals transmitted by the child radio transmitter.

In the parent unit, when the modulated signal is received at the parent radio receiver 11 , this modulation sends a call confirmation signal to the LEDS 61 to cause them to flash quickly in a burst to provide the confirmation required by the parent.

Claims

1. A child training monitor comprising: a child unit arranged to be worn by a child, the child unit including a child radio transmitter for transmitting at regular intervals a proximity signal; and a parent unit including a parent radio receiver for receiving proximity signals from the child radio transmitter and being coupled to alarm generation means operable to generate an alarm if the distance between the child unit and parent unit is greater than a threshold value; in which the training monitor includes means for selecting from at least two different values of threshold distance.

2. A child training monitor according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generating means comprise means for generating at least one of a visual, audible or vibration alarm.

3. A child training monitor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each threshold distance is equivalent to a particular power of signal generated by the child unit.

4. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the child unit and the parent unit are battery-powered.

5. A child training monitor according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the child unit and the parent unit comprises recharging means for recharging the battery.

6. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the parent unit includes a parent radio transmitter and the child unit includes a child radio receiver and the parent unit includes a means for transmitting a signal to the child radio receiver wherein, upon receipt of said signal, the child unit is operable to indicate to the child that the parent is contacting them.

7. A child training monitor according to claim 6, wherein only the parent unit is operable to re-set the contact signal.

8. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the parent unit further includes a timer mechanism.

9. A child training monitor according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the child unit further comprises a child radio transmitter operable to acknowledge to the parent unit receipt of the contact signal.

10. A child training monitor according to claim 9, wherein the parent unit further comprises a message confirmation indicator.

11. A child training monitor according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the child unit is operable to modulate the signal transmitted by the child radio transmitter by the signal received at the child unit for a short period, which modulation is recognised at the parent radio receiver.

12. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the child unit is operable to transmit signals to the parent unit at regular intervals.

13. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the parent unit is operable to transmit a reassuring tone generator when a signal is received from the child unit.

14. A child training unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the child training unit further comprises means for detecting a low battery and means for generating an alarm signal at the parent unit in response to said detection.

15. A child training unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the parent unit is operable to monitor signals from more than one child unit.

16. A child training unit according to claim 15, wherein the parent unit comprises a plurality of receiving channels for communicating with the plurality of child units, and each co-operating child unit includes means to select the channel for that unit.

17. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the child unit includes an integral watch unit arranged to be worn on the wrist of a child.

18. A child training monitor according to claim 17, wherein the watch unit comprises means for sensing if the watch is being worn and means for generating an alarm signal if the watch unit is removed.

19. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the child unit further comprises means for sensing the situation whereby the child unit is immersed in water.

20. A child training monitor according to any preceding claim, wherein the child unit further comprises a selectable panic button operable to transmit an alarm signal at the parent unit when operated.

21. A child training monitor according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the parent unit is operable to generate an alarm when the received signal from the child unit has been interrupted.

22. The child training monitor as herein before described and is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A child training monitor comprising: a child unit arranged to be worn by a child, the child unit comprising a transmitter operable to transmit a proximity signal; and a parent unit, said parent unit comprising: a receiver operable to receive proximity signals from the child unit; and alarm generation means, operable to generate an alarm if a distance between the child unit and parent unit is greater than a threshold value.