Adaptive sensory outputs synchronized to input tempos for soothing effects
Sensory outputs are synchronized to input tempos for providing soothing and other effects for children and other persons. In example embodiments, juvenile products such as rockers and swings have motors that are controlled to produce an oscillatory motion with an adaptive tempo that is synchronized to rhythmic inputs such as a parent's heartbeat. In other example embodiments, juvenile products such as music players are controlled to output signals to play songs via speakers with an adaptive tempo that is synchronized to rhythmic inputs such as an infant's respiratory rate.
1. A computer-implemented adaptive sensory output method, comprising:
receiving an input tempo from an input device;
determining if the input tempo is within a permissible tempo range for a sensory output selection;
if not in-range, operating an output device to output the sensory output selection at a standard tempo for the sensory output selection; and
if in-range, operating the output device to output the sensory output selection at an adjusted tempo that is synchronized to the input tempo,
wherein the synchronization of the adjusted tempo of the sensory output selection to the input tempo provides a soothing experience,
wherein the in-range step comprises first operating the output device to output the sensory output selection at the standard tempo and then incrementally slewing the adjusted tempo toward synchronization to the input tempo.
2. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of identifying if an input tempo has been received, if received then proceeding with the method, and if not received then operating the output device to output the sensory output selection at the standard tempo.
3. The method of claim 1 , further including repeating the steps over time in regular intervals so that as the input tempo changes over time the adjusted tempo changes over time to track it.
4. A computer-implemented adaptive sensory output method, comprising:
receiving an input tempo from an input device;
determining if the input tempo is within a permissible tempo range for a sensory output selection;
if not in-range, operating an output device to output the sensory output selection at a standard tempo for the sensory output selection;
if in-range, operating the output device to output the sensory output selection at an adjusted tempo that is synchronized to the input tempo, and
repeating the steps over time in regular intervals so that as the input tempo changes over time the adjusted tempo changes over time to track it;
wherein the synchronization of the adjusted tempo of the sensory output selection to the input tempo provides a soothing experience, and
wherein, if the input tempo is no longer received, incrementally slewing the sensory output selection to the standard tempo.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the in-range step, if the adjusted tempo is adjusted to a tempo limit of the permissible tempo range for the sensory output selection, and if the input tempo changes past the tempo limit to outside of the permissible tempo range, then operating the output device to output the sensory output selection at the tempo limit.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the in-range step, if the adjusted tempo is adjusted to a tempo limit of the permissible tempo range for the sensory output selection, and if the input tempo changes past the tempo limit to outside of the permissible tempo range, then transitioning to output a next sensory output selection having a respective next permissible tempo range spanning the changed input tempo.
7. The method of claim 1 , further including receiving a user selection of the input tempo to receive, the input device to receive the input tempo from, the sensory output selection to output, the output device to operate, or a combination thereof.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input tempo is a biorhythmic tempo and the input device is an activity tracker or a haptic pulse sensor.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input tempo is a rhythmic tempo of an oscillating motion or a haptic pulse.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensory output selection includes audible sounds and the output device includes an audio speaker.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensory output selection is haptic pulses or an oscillating motion and the output device includes a haptic pulsing vibrator or a drive device for imparting oscillating motion.
12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing instructions for performing the method of claim 1 .
13. A computer-implemented adaptive sensory output method, comprising:
receiving an input tempo from an input device;
determining if the input tempo is within a permissible tempo range for a sensory output selection;
if not in-range, operating an output device to output the sensory output selection at a standard tempo for the sensory output selection; and
if in-range, operating the output device to output the sensory output selection at an adjusted tempo that is synchronized to the input tempo,
wherein the synchronization of the adjusted tempo of the sensory output selection to the input tempo provides a soothing experience,
wherein, in the in-range step, if the adjusted tempo is adjusted to a tempo limit of the permissible tempo range for the sensory output selection, and if the input tempo changes past the tempo limit to outside of the permissible tempo range, then transitioning to output a next sensory output selection having a respective next permissible tempo range spanning the changed input tempo,
wherein the permissible tempo range for the sensory output selection and the next permissible tempo range for the next sensory output selection have an overlapping tempo region, and wherein the step of transitioning to the next sensory output selection is done when the input tempo is within the overlapping tempo region.
14. An adaptive sensory output arrangement, comprising:
at least one memory device operable to store computer-executable instructions; and
at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
receive a heartrate input tempo from an input device associated with a caretaker;
determine if the heartrate input tempo is within a permissible tempo range for a sensory music output selection;
if not in-range, operate an output device to output the sensory music output selection at a standard tempo for the sensory music output selection;
if in-range, operate the output device to output the sensory music output selection at an adjusted tempo that is synchronized to the heartrate input tempo; and
repeat the steps over time in regular intervals so that as the heartrate input tempo changes over time the adjusted tempo changes over time to track it;
wherein the synchronization of the adjusted tempo of the sensory music output selection to the heartrate input tempo provides a soothing experience directed to a juvenile.
15. The arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the memory device further stores a library of audio content from which is selected the sensory music output selection.
16. The arrangement of claim 14 , wherein the heartrate input tempo, the output device, or both, are integral to or attachable to a juvenile product.
17. The arrangement of claim 14 , further comprising an infant-supporting product, wherein the sensory music output selection is audible sound, haptic pulses, or an oscillating motion, and wherein the output device includes an audio speaker facing an infant in the infant-supporting product, a haptic pulsing vibrator positioned adjacent the infant in the infant-supporting product, or a drive device for imparting oscillating motion to the infant-supporting product.
18. The arrangement of claim 14 , wherein:
the heartrate input tempo is a biorhythmic tempo and the input device is an activity tracker or a haptic pulse sensor;
the heartrate input tempo is a rhythmic tempo of an oscillating motion or a haptic pulse;
the sensory music output-selection includes audible sounds and the output device includes an audio speaker;
the sensory music output selection is haptic pulses or an oscillating motion and the output device includes a haptic pulsing vibrator or a drive device for imparting oscillating motion; or
a combination thereof.
19. The arrangement of claim 14 , wherein, in the in-range step, if the adjusted tempo is adjusted to a tempo limit of the permissible tempo range for the sensory music output-selection, and if the heartrate input tempo changes past the tempo limit to outside of the permissible tempo range, then:
operating the output device to output the sensory music output selection at the tempo limit; or
transitioning to output a next sensory music output selection having a respective next permissible tempo range spanning the changed heartrate input tempo.