Infant calming/sleep-aid device and method of use

Abstract

An infant calming/sleep-aid device includes a main moving platform that moves in a reciprocating manner and an actuator that drives the reciprocating movement of the main moving platform. The moving head platform is linked to the main moving platform and at least one of a motion sensing device and a sound sensing device are either at or proximate to a moving head platform that is pivotally linked to the main moving platform. A logic circuit links at least one of the motion and sound sensing devices of the infant calming/sleep aid-device to the main moving platform whereby signals detected modulate movement of the main moving platform. A sound generating device is linked to the logic circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infant calming/sleep-aid device, comprising:
 a) a main moving platform that moves in a reciprocating manner;   b) an actuator that drives the reciprocating movement of the main moving platform;   c) a moving head platform linked to the main moving platform, whereby reciprocating motion of the main moving platform causes reciprocating motion of the moving head platform;   d) at least one of a motion sensing device at the moving head platform and a sound sensing device proximate to the moving head platform; and   e) a logic circuit linking at least one of the motion sensing device and the sound sensing device to the main moving platform, whereby signals detected by at least one of the motion sensing devices or the sound sensing device cause the logic circuit to modulate the movement of the main moving platform.   
     
     
         2 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 1 , further including a sound generating device linked to the logic circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 2 , wherein the main moving platform is rotatable about an axis orthogonal to a major plane of the platform. 
     
     
         4 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator includes a drive motor. 
     
     
         5 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 4 , wherein the moving head platform is linked to the main moving platform by a hinge. 
     
     
         6 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 5 , wherein reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform causes reciprocating motion of the moving head platform about the hinge that is greater than the reciprocating motion of the main moving platform. 
     
     
         7 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 6 , wherein the motion sensing device includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         8 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 7 , wherein the sound sensing device includes a microphone. 
     
     
         9 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 8 , further including a rigid base and a main movement linkage or bearing extending from the rigid base, wherein the main moving platform is mounted on the main movement linkage or bearing, whereby the main moving platform is moveable about said main movement linkage or bearing relative to the rigid base. 
     
     
         10 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 9 , wherein the main moving platform is moveable about said main movement linkage or bearing in a plane substantially parallel to a major plane of the rigid base. 
     
     
         11 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 10 , wherein the drive motor is mounted to the rigid base, and further including,
 a) a catch bracket mounted to the main moving platform;   b) an eccentric drive plate engaged with the drive motor, and   c) a linkage connecting the eccentric drive plate to the catch bracket, whereby actuation of the drive motor drives rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing in the reciprocating manner.   
     
     
         12 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 11 , further including a hinge linking the main moving platform to the moving head platform, whereby reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing causes reciprocating motion of the moving head platform about the hinge that is greater than the reciprocating motion of the main moving platform. 
     
     
         13 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge linking the moving head platform to the main moving platform is a head movement linkage or bearing. 
     
     
         14 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 13 , further including a spring on either side of the head movement linkage or bearing, thereby modulating the reciprocating motion of the moving head platform. 
     
     
         15 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 14 , wherein the accelerometer is mounted at the moving head platform, whereby the rate of acceleration of the rotating head platform can be monitored. 
     
     
         16 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 15 , wherein at least one speaker is mounted proximate to the moving head platform. 
     
     
         17 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 16 , further including means for controlling actuation of the drive motor, wherein at least one of the accelerometer and the microphone are linked to means for controlling actuation of the drive motor, whereby at least one of monitored acceleration of the accelerometer and sound detected by the microphone will control the speed of the drive motor and, therefore, the rate of reciprocation of the main moving platform. 
     
     
         18 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 9 , wherein the linkage connecting the eccentric drive plate to the catch bracket is a single rod. 
     
     
         19 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 18 , wherein the linkage connecting the eccentric drive plate to the catch bracket includes,
 a) a plurality of rods, at least a portion of which are hinged to each other; and   b) a rotation bearing mounted to the rigid base and configured to cause pivoting of at least one of the rods, the rod being linked indirectly to the drive motor through another rod to which it is hinged and which is connected to the eccentric drive plate.   
     
     
         20 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 19 , further including an amplitude modulation motor connecting the main movement linkage or bearing to the pivoting rod, the amplitude modulation motor controlling a pivot point along a major axis of the rod to which it is connected about the main movement linkage or bearing, whereby the amplitude modulation motor controls the amplitude of reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing. 
     
     
         21 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of rods includes a rod extending from and hinged to the rod connected to the amplitude modulation motor, and extending to the catch bracket. 
     
     
         22 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 21 , wherein the rod extending to the catch bracket is linked to the catch bracket by a spring or series of springs that modulates the reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement or linkage bearing. 
     
     
         23 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 22 , further including a damper or series of dampers that is attached to the rigid base and that interacts with the main moving platform by modulating the reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement or linkage bearing. 
     
     
         24 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 23 , further including means for controlling actuation of the amplitude modulation motor. 
     
     
         25 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 24 , wherein the means for controlling the drive motor and the means for controlling the amplitude modulation motor are linked. 
     
     
         26 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 25 , further including a logic circuit, wherein the means for controlling the drive motor and the means for controlling the amplitude modulation motor are linked by the logic circuit. 
     
     
         27 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the accelerometers and the microphone are linked to the drive motor and to the amplitude modulation motor through the logic circuit. 
     
     
         28 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 27 , wherein both the accelerometer and the speaker are linked to the drive motor through the logic circuit. 
     
     
         29 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 1 , further including a head rest at the moving head platform, wherein the head rest includes a gel. 
     
     
         30 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 1 , further including a plurality at least two straps at the main moving platform to secure the infant to the calming/sleep-aid device. 
     
     
         31 . An infant calming/sleep-aid device, comprising:
 a) a rigid base;   b) a main movement linkage or bearing extending from the rigid base;   c) a main moving platform mounted on the main movement linkage or bearing, whereby the main moving platform is moveable on the main movement linkage or bearing relative to the base; and   d) an actuation assembly that controls movement of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing relative to the rigid base, the actuation assembly including an actuator mounted to the rigid base.   
     
     
         32 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 31 , wherein the main moving platform is moveable at least in a plane substantially parallel to a major plane of the rigid base. 
     
     
         33 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator includes a drive motor. 
     
     
         34 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the actuation of assembly further includes a catch bracket mounted to the main moving platform. 
     
     
         35 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 34 , wherein the actuation assembly further includes an eccentric drive plate engaged with the drive motor. 
     
     
         36 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 35 , wherein the actuation assembly further includes a linkage connecting the eccentric drive plate to the catch bracket, whereby actuation of the drive motor drives movement of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing. 
     
     
         37 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 36 , wherein the movement of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing is a reciprocating movement. 
     
     
         38 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 37 , further including
 a) a moving head platform; and   b) a head movement linkage or bearing mounted to the main moving platform linking the main moving platform to the moving head platform.   
     
     
         39 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 38 , wherein movement of the main moving platform about the movement linkage or bearing causes movement of the moving head platform about the head movement linkage or bearing that has a greater amplitude than the movement of the main moving platform. 
     
     
         40 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 39 , further including a spring on either side of the head movement linkage or bearing, thereby modulating the movement of the moving head platform. 
     
     
         41 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 40 , wherein the movement of the main moving platform is configured to move in a reciprocating manner. 
     
     
         42 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 41 , further including a motion detector sensor mounted at the moving head platform. 
     
     
         43 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 42 , wherein the motion detection sensor includes an accelerometer, whereby the rate of acceleration of the moving head platform can be monitored. 
     
     
         44 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 43 , further including a sound generating device. 
     
     
         45 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 44 , wherein the sound generating device includes a speaker. 
     
     
         46 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 45 , further includes at least one sound detection device mounted proximate to the moving head platform. 
     
     
         47 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 46 , wherein the sound detection device includes a microphone. 
     
     
         48 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 47 , further including means for controlling actuation of the drive motor, wherein at least one of the accelerometer and the microphone are linked to means for controlling actuation of the drive motor, whereby at least one of monitored acceleration of the accelerometer and sound detected by the microphone will control the speed of the drive motor and, therefore, the rate of movement of the main moving platform. 
     
     
         49 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 48 , wherein the linkage connecting the eccentric drive plate to the catch bracket is a single rod. 
     
     
         50 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 49 , wherein the linkage connecting the eccentric drive plate to the catch bracket includes,
 a) a plurality of rods, at least a portion of which are hinged to each other; and   b) a rotation bearing mounted to the rigid base and configured to cause pivoting of at least one of the rods, the rod being linked indirectly to the drive motor through another of the rods to which it is hinged, and which is connected to the eccentric drive plate.   
     
     
         51 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 50 , further including an amplitude modulation motor connecting the rotation bearing to the pivoting rod, the amplitude modulation motor controlling a pivot point along a major axis of the rod to which it is connected about the rotation bearing, whereby the drive motor controls the amplitude of reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing. 
     
     
         52 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 51 , wherein the plurality of rods includes a rod extending from and hinged to the rod connected to the amplitude modulation motor, and extending to the catch bracket. 
     
     
         53 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 52 , wherein the rod extending to the catch bracket is linked to the catch bracket by a spring or series of springs that modulates the reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement linkage or bearing. 
     
     
         54 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 53 , further including a damper or series of dampers that is attached to the rigid base and that interacts with the main moving platform by modulating the reciprocating rotation of the main moving platform about the main movement or linkage bearing. 
     
     
         55 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 54 , further including means for controlling actuation of the amplitude modulation motor. 
     
     
         56 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 55 , wherein the means for controlling the drive motor and the means for controlling the amplitude modulation motor are linked. 
     
     
         57 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 56 , further including a logic circuit, wherein the means for controlling the drive motor and the means for controlling the amplitude modulation motor are linked by the logic circuit. 
     
     
         58 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 57 , wherein at least one of the accelerometer and the microphone are linked to the drive motor and to the amplitude modulation motor through the logic circuit. 
     
     
         59 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 58 , wherein both the accelerometer and the microphone are linked to the drive motor through the logic circuit. 
     
     
         60 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 31 , further including a head rest at the moving head platform, wherein the head rest includes a gel. 
     
     
         61 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 31 , further including at least two straps at the main moving platform to secure the infant to the calming/sleep-aid device. 
     
     
         62 . A method for calming or aiding sleep of an infant, comprising moving the infant in a reciprocating manner about an axis that intersects the infant at a 90 degree angle to a major plane of a surface supporting the infant. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein at least one of the rate and amplitude of the reciprocating rotation is controlled by a logic circuit. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the rate and amplitude of the reciprocating rotation are controlled by the logic circuit. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the logic circuit controls the rate and amplitude of the reciprocating rotation in response to signals obtained from a motion detection device that is connected to the logic circuit and that detects perturbations caused by the infant during reciprocating rotation. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the logic circuit controls the rate and amplitude of the reciprocating rotation in response to sounds detected by at least one sound detection device connected to the logic circuit. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the rate of the reciprocating rotation is in a range of between about two and about four and one-half cycles per second and an amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a center of a head of the infant is in a range of between about 0.2 inches and about 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the rate of reciprocating rotation is in a range of between about 0.5 and about 1.5 cycles per second and an amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a center of a head of the infant is in a range of between about 0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the logic circuit controls the rate and amplitude of the reciprocating rotation in response to signals obtained from a motion detection device that is connected to the logic circuit and in response to sounds detected by at least one sound detection device connected to the logic circuit. 
     
     
         70 . An adaptive calming/sleep-aid method, comprising the steps of:
 a) moving an infant in a reciprocating manner about an axis that intersects the infant and is orthogonal to a major plane of a surface supporting the infant; and   b) modulating at least one of the sounds generated by a sound generating device and the reciprocating moving in an updating and adaptive manner by logic circuit-controlled actuation in response to at least one of sound and motion of the infant.   
     
     
         71 . The adaptive calming/sleep-aid method of  claim 70 , wherein the modulation is further controlled by at least one of the weight of the infant, the age of the infant, the duration of the detected sound made by the infant and the duration of the detected motion of the infant. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the rate of the reciprocating rotation is in a range of between about two and about four and one-half cycles per second and an amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a center of a head of the infant is in a range of between about 0.2 inches and about 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the rate of reciprocating rotation is in a range of between about 0.5 and about 1.5 cycles per second and an amplitude of the reciprocating rotation at a center of a head of the infant is in a range of between about 0.5 inches and about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         74 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 71 , wherein the logic circuit includes a crying detection module having,
 a) a band-pass filter to receive audio signals from the sound sensing device, whereby filtered audio data that exceeds an energy-based threshold is delivered as an output signal; and   b) a time-based filter that receives the output signal and modulates reciprocating motion of the main moving platform in response to the output signal.   
     
     
         75 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 74 , wherein the band pass filter is a digital band pass filter. 
     
     
         76 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 70 , wherein the logic circuit includes a motion analysis module having,
 a) a filter bank that delivers a motion amplitude estimate signal and a filtered accelerometer data signal; and   b) a motion frequency estimator that receives the filtered accelerometer data signal and delivers a motion frequency estimate signal, whereby the logic circuit compares the filtered motion amplitude estimate and the motion frequency estimate signals to thereby generate a signal that motion of the main rotating platform is nominal or not nominal, wherein the filtered accelerometer data signal will trigger the logic circuit to generate a signal that the motion of the main rotating platform is not nominal if it exceeds a motion safety threshold.   
     
     
         77 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 76 , wherein the filter bank is a digital filter bank. 
     
     
         78 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 76 , wherein the signal that the motion of the main rotating platform is not nominal, whether from the comparison made by the logic circuit, or by exceeding the motion safety threshold of filtered accelerometer data, is delivered to a time-based filter that only outputs a signal if the input signal exceeds a time threshold. 
     
     
         79 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 76 , wherein the motion frequency estimator is a threshold-crossing-based motion frequency estimator. 
     
     
         80 . The infant calming/sleep-aid device of  claim 71 , wherein the logic circuit includes a motion generation module that modulates the speed and amplitude of reciprocating rotation of the main rotating platform in response to input signals that include at least one member selected from the group consisting of a desired motion state, sensed motion frequency and amplitude of the main rotating platform, desired system speed, and whether motion of the main rotating platform exceeds a safety threshold.